§ 11. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the organised transportation of gangs of Fascists from English centres into Edinburgh on 15th instant; whether he has received reports from the police of the violence and bloodshed in connection with the meeting in the Usher Hall attended by these Fascists; and whether he will seek powers to interfere with any future concentration of these organised gangs when there is reason to anticipate a breach of the peace arising in consequence?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAs regards the first part of the question, I understand that the meeting referred to was attended by a party of Fascists in uniform most of 1807 whom came from England. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given yesterday to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence). As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that under the existing law the police are entitled to enter and remain in a hall during a meeting, if they are requested by the promoters to do so; also, if they have reason to believe that a breach of the law is being committed; or further, if they have reasonable grounds for apprehending that a breach of the law is about to be committed. Further powers to prevent or deal with any breach of the peace arising in the circumstances referred to are, in my view, unnecessary.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONAre we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that he does not consider it necessary to seek powers from this House to prevent the organised transportation from Middlesbrough to Edinburgh of a large number of these Fascist gangs, which resulted in bloodshed, turbulence and violence in Edinburgh; and are we to understand that he does not propose to take steps to prevent a repetition of this sort of thing?
§ Sir G. COLLINSFreedom of assembly and freedom of speech are implicit in a democratic country, and in view of the statement which I have made as to the law of the land in Scotland, the powers which the police possess at present, as I am advised, seem amply sufficient to protect the interests of His Majesty's subjects.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONInasmuch as I did not ask the right hon. Gentleman's opinion about free speech and am not trying to prevent it in any way, will he be good enough to answer my question? Will he not take steps, or ask for powers, to stop the organised transportation in this way of gangs of violence merchants?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI naturally deplore any action by any section of the community which leads to disorder, but, as I say, there is implicit in every democratic country that freedom of assembly which the right hon. Gentleman apparently wishes to restrict, and as I am advised at present further powers seem to be unnecessary.