§ Mr. MONTAGUE (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of mounted and other police drafted into Finsbury Park yesterday on the occasion of a Fascist demonstration and upon whom falls the cost of these, with police cars, lorries, and ambulance wagons and refreshment tent erected in the children's playground; whether he is aware that the only violence exhibited was that of Sir Oswald Mosley's supporters; that the demonstration was organised in military fashion with uniformed men and appropriately distinguished officers, that military formations were conducted and military orders given by loud speakers, although loud speakers of a perfectly 1426 peaceful rival meeting were ordered to be toned down; and will be take steps to see that, while safeguarding free speech, such extremely provocative private army organisation is forbidden in future?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Simon)Many thousands of persons assembled in the park on this occasion in connection with the Fascist demonstration and the anti-Fascist counter demonstration, and I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 573 foot police and 59 mounted police were on the ground. So large a number of police was employed because the police had reason to believe from past experience that the presence of Fascists and anti-Fascists in the park, unless adequately policed, was likely to give rise to disorder and breaches of the peace. The precautions taken by the police were both necessary and adequate, and no disorder occurred except for a minor scuffle on the outskirts of the Fascist meeting as a result of which two persons wearing badges of the Fascist party were arrested and charged with using insulting words and behaviour. The cost of the police who are engaged in preserving order in the streets and public places is a proper charge on the Police Fund. I am informed by the Commissioner that it is not the case that the police took any action to interfere with the use of loud speakers by the rival organisation referred to. The use of loud speakers in the park is governed by regulations made by the London County Council. The House will appreciate how difficult the task of the police is when rival organisations demonstrate in the same locality. While it is the duty of the police to deal with any conduct which is likely to lead to breaches of the peace, such drastic measures as those proposed by the hon. Member would require legislation, and, as at present advised, I am not satisfied that there is sufficient ground for proposing so far-reaching a change in the law.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEDoes the Minister understand that I make no personal complaint of the conduct of the police, and will he take into consideration the desirability of sonic kind of Parliamentary investigation into the activities of this body?
§ Sir J. SIMONI quite appreciate that the hon. Gentleman is not making any reflection on the police. The difficulty is that this is a free country, and the best thing we can do is to appeal to everyone on all sides to show a certain amount of reasonableness.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEDoes the Minister think it is desirable in this country with its conditions of freedom and constitutional government that there should be private armies?
§ Commander LOCKER-LAMPSONIs it a fact that Fascists are allowed to wear uniforms? Is that an offence?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe question is not an easy one to answer. It has been very carefully considered. As a matter of fact there is nothing in the law that prevents anyone from wearing uniforms. The difficulty would be to define what is a uniform.
§ Sir P. HARRISDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise how very provocative is the military formation of this body?
§ Mr. SANDYSIs a Blackshirt any more provocative than the right hon. Gentleman's red tie?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe question I asked was exceedingly important. I would ask the Home Secretary whether he is aware that this huge Fascist procession marched out of the park singing a song with the refrain, "Yid, Yid, Yid." This Jew-baiting that is going on in the East End ought to be stopped.
§ Sir J. SIMONI naturally did not know that. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow me to give him the words of the relevant regulation made by the London County Council:
No person shall in any open space without the consent of the council in writing under the hand of its clerk operate or play or make sounds with any musical or other instrument, including any gramophone or mechanical apparatus, or without such consent sing any sacred or secular song.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEWhy is it that the police protected the Fascist military band, which was playing in the park?
§ Sir J. SIMONI altogether dispute the allegation that the police protected anybody. I made the closest inquiry to ascertain the facts, and I thought that the hon. Gentleman, when he began his question, said that he made no reflection upon the police.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEMay I submit that, in view of the answer to my last question, I am entitled again to say that I make no reflection upon the conduct of the police? But it is the fact that the band at the meeting was protected. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. GALLACHERMay I ask a question? [Interruption.]
§ Commander LOCKER-LAMPSONI only want to ask—
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Greenwood.