HC Deb 03 February 1949 vol 460 cc1822-4
28 30. Mr. Bramall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether his attention has been drawn to a meeting held at West Green Road on 19th December, 1948, at which obscene attacks were made on the Jewish community by alleged references to the Talmud; and whether he will consider the initiation of proceedings against the speakers concerned for making seditious and slanderous statements, likely to cause a breach of the peace;

(2) if his attention has been drawn to the meeting of the Union Movement held at Trehovia Road on 1st December. 1948, at which the speaker made obscene accusations against the Jewish community, threatened that the Union Movement would start a bloody revolution and boasted that he would not be brought before a court because of what he could say in defence; and whether he will consider the initiation of proceedings against the speaker for making seditious and slanderous statements likely to lead to a breach of the peace;

(3) whether his attention has been drawn to a meeting held at West Green Road, Tottenham, on 5th December. 1948, at which the speaker, after being warned by a police inspector to mind his tongue indulged in incitement against the Jewish community and praised the extermination by the Hitler regime of the Jews; and whether he will consider the initiation of proceedings against the speaker for making seditious and slanderous statements likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Mr. Ede

The Home Secretary is not a prosecuting authority and does not initiate criminal proceedings. I have however caused inquiry to be made and am informed that the police who attended these meetings heard nothing to justify the institution of proceedings.

Mr. Bramall

Will my right hon. Friend look further into the question of the meeting where the speaker was actually warned by a police inspector to mind his tongue, and then proceeded to go on making these allegations and no proceedings were taken?

Mr. Ede

I have already looked into that case, and I am informed that the effect of the warning was to have a sobering effect on the tone previously adopted by the speaker.

Mr. Lipson

But is not my right hon. Friend aware that disgraceful and unfair attacks on the Jewish community are being made by many speakers at this time? Will he consult with the Council of Christians and Jews, and also with the Jewish Board of Deputies, to see if any means can be found by which these disgraceful proceedings—which all decent men must condemn—can be brought to an end?

Mr. Ede

I am in fairly constant touch with the two bodies which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned. From time to time I send reports on the speeches which reach me to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his consideration. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that, as far as I am concerned, I would welcome the opportunity of the Director bringing a prosecution if the facts warranted it.

Mr. Cecil Poole

Would the Home Secretary reconsider the question of the police protection afforded to these speakers, as it is felt by many people that many of these statements would not be made if the speakers were not afforded such a large measure of police protection?

Mr. Ede

There is no more police protection for these people than for any other persons holding a meeting. It is the duty of the police to prevent a breach of the peace, whether it is incited by the speaker or by the listener.

Mr. Quintin Hogg

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his willingness to prosecute in suitable cases, and his desire to protect everybody against breaches of the peace, will be widely welcomed in all quarters of the House?

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Would my right hon. Friend say what authority a police officer has to caution a speaker with a view to producing a sobering effect, unless the speaker has infringed the law; and if he has infringed the law, what right has the police inspector not to bring the prosecution?

Mr. Ede

It is the duty of the police where possible to prevent a breach of the peace. After all, we all listen to a great number of speeches in this House, and it is quite possible sometimes to realise that what the speaker is about to say may lead to trouble.

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