§ 5. Colonel Gomme-Duncanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what information exceptional precautions were taken by the police in London on 11th March, 1950, in connection with the visit of 30 Scotsmen and women from Dumbarton; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EdeI am not in any event prepared to disclose the sources or nature of information received by the police, but in fact no exceptional precautions were taken in London itself in connection with this visit.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is normal for a bus load of people to be met by the police, escorted by them the whole day and the names taken of all the passengers, who are informed that they are Irish and that the pipers with them would go to gaol if they let out even a squeak? Is this really the normal process in connection with any party arriving from anywhere?
§ Mr. Walter FletcherWere any precautions taken in Dumbarton when some very doubtful characters from London appeared there recently?
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the information I have is first-hand, that the people who gave it to me are perfectly respectable and that these are facts, whatever the police report may be?
§ Mr. EdeIf the hon. and gallant Member will see me, or make a statement about this matter, I will have it investigated. I will certainly investigate the statements that were made in his first supplementary question.