§ 27. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what complaints he has received regarding the alleged failure of the police authorities to deal with an anti-Soviet demonstration outside the Soviet Embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens on 1st November last.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)The only complaint I have received is one from the Soviet Embassy referred to me by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. As I have informed him, there was no failure on the part of the police to deal with this small demonstration which was quickly dispersed by the constables on duty.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan my right hon. Friend take such steps as may be appropriate to reassure Mr. Vishinsky on this matter, in view of his statement to the United Nations that one dare not step out of the Soviet Embassy without the risk of being insulted or getting into other trouble?
Mr. Wilson HarrisCould the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance to Mr. Vishinsky that the Russian method will, where possible, be adopted on such occasions?
§ Mr. EdeI think that such demonstrations, outside no matter which Embassy they may be held, are quite reprehensible, and I cannot find any excuse for this one in the plea that a demonstration elsewhere by a larger number had been held earlier on the same afternoon.