HC Deb 09 February 1939 vol 343 cc1119-21
57. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on 31st January a queue of people waiting outside the public entrance of the House of Commons for the purpose of interviewing their Members was dispersed by mounted police; that individuals who tried to explain to police officers that they were on legitimate business to their Members were jostled away and assaulted; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to where the responsibility lies for orders being given to the police which resulted in peaceful citizens being denied access to their elected representatives?

65. Mr. Silverman

asked the Home Secretary whether he has inquired into complaints as to the conduct of the police in Parliament Square, Whitehall, and Piccadilly, on the evening of 31st January last; whether unnecessary violence was used; how many persons were obstructed or assaulted by police officers; and whether persons desiring to interview Members representing them in this House were forcibly prevented by police officers from so doing?

67. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the complaints made concerning the batoning by the police of peaceful citizens in Parliament Square and Abingdon Street on 31st January; and will he set up an impartial committee to investigate these charges?

Sir S. Hoare

On the evening of 31st January, an organised attempt was made to evade the prohibition of mass demonstrations in the neighbourhood of Parliament. After a meeting had been held in Chenies Street, a procession marched to Cambridge Circus. The demonstrators then made their way in separate groups to Parliament Square, and, in accordance with a plan outlined by a speaker at the meeting, a number of them attempted to justify their presence by a pretence that they happened simultaneously to wish to take advantage of the facilities ordinarily available to individual members of the public for interviewing Members of Parliament. Other demonstrators paraded in the vicinity of the Houses of Parliament chanting slogans. It was the duty of the police, both under the Sessional Order and the general law, to disperse this crowd of demonstrators. The inquiries which I have made as to the steps taken by the police for this purpose indicate that they carried out their duty in a reasonable manner and with commendable restraint and patience. Later a number of the demonstrators collected in Piccadilly Circus and a number of men and women tried to obstruct the traffic by lying down in the roadway. As a result 51 persons were arrested.

My information is that at no time were truncheons drawn or used, and I can find no ground for the suggestion that there was any unnecessary violence. If specific complaints are sent to me, I will, of course, investigate them, but on the information I have at present, I can find no ground whatsoever for the suggestion that there is a case for a committee of inquiry.

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the Minister aware that there have been, through the Press, many complaints from people who had no association with any demonstration to the effect that some of the police officials were responsible for gross and unnecessary violence, and if evidence of this kind is submitted to him, will he institute an inquiry into what happened?

Sir S. Hoare

I can imagine a good many complaints being made to the Press about the police, but I cannot undertake to pay attention to them unless specific information is given to me to show that there is justification for the charges being made.

Captain Peter Macdonald

Will my right hon. Friend deal with the cases in the same way as they are dealt with in Moscow?

Mr. G. Strauss

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of serious allegations have been made against the action of the police by many respectable citizens, civil servants and others, and in view of those serious allegations is it not plainly in the interests of the police as well as of the public that an impartial inquiry should be made?

Sir S. Hoare

No, I am not aware of any such allegations.

Several hon. Members rose—

Mr. Silverman

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Captain Ramsay rose—

Mr. Speaker

When an hon. Member gives notice to raise a matter on the Adjournment that should put an end to further supplementary questions.

Sir Henry Morris-Jones

Is it in order for an hon. Member to give notice that he will raise the matter on the Adjournment before the supplementary questions have been disposed of?

Mr. Speaker

We have had several supplementaries.

Captain Ramsay

In view of the fact that nobody on this side had an opportunity of asking a supplementary question, may I ask my right hon. Friend a question?

Mr. Speaker

Order. The supplementary questions which I allowed were those by Members who had questions on the Paper. They were the only ones asked before notice was given that the matter would be raised on the Adjournment. As far as I am concerned that puts an end to the matter.