HC Deb 09 March 1939 vol 344 c2345
65. Mr. Vyvyan Adams

asked the Home Secretary what steps he is taking to quell the organised breaking of meetings irrespective of political party by Fascist gangs in the East End of London?

Sir S. Hoare

There has been no failure on the part of the police to render assistance if their presence is required for preventing or dealing with breaches of the peace. It is the duty of the stewards at public meetings to deal with interrupters who are not guilty of breaches of the peace, but I am in consultation with the Commissioner on the question whether any further assistance can be rendered to promoters of meetings which are liable to be subjected to this organised form of disorder.

Mr. Adams

Have not these rowdyisms been so organised recently as to be utterly beyond police control, and is he aware that we do not want a recrudescence of this trouble throughout the country?

Viscountess Astor

Was this trouble not started by the Communists?

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