HC Deb 23 June 1938 vol 337 cc1258-9
52. Mr. Watkins

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the petition from Hackney residents and others, who were present at a political open-air meeting on 7th June which was the scene of disorder; and what action he proposes to prevent such occurrences in future?

Sir S. Hoare

I have received a petition suggesting that the disorder at this meeting was due to the failure of the police to take necessary precautions, and asking for an inquiry to be held. The Commissioner of Police informs me that for the first three-quarters of an hour the meeting was quite orderly, but a section of the audience then became noisy, and an interrupter who used insulting language was arrested. Subsequently the disorder increased and the police asked the speaker to close the meeting. He refused to do so, and in order to prevent more serious disturbances the police dispersed the crowd. It is, of course, the duty of the police to take such steps as are within their powers to prevent breaches of the peace, but they cannot ensure that breaches of the peace will never occur at outdoor meetings. I am satisfied that on this occasion prompt action was taken by the police as soon as the circumstances warranted their intervention.

Mr. Watkins

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that quite frequently in the East End of London Fascist speakers use the most insulting language about the Jewish people, and will he press the police to redouble their efforts to prevent these occurrences, which are certain to lead to breaches of the peace?

Sir S. Hoare

Provocative statements are being made at public meetings in this district by extremists of both parties. Certainly as far as the police are concerned they will take every practicable step to bring the guilty parties to account. The difficulty, as the hon. Member knows, is very often to obtain sufficiently definite evidence with which to go to the court.

Mr. Mander

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that Sir Oswald Mosley has declared himself a strong supporter of the Government's foreign policy?

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