HC Deb 04 May 1950 vol 474 cc1872-3
5. Colonel Gomme-Duncan

asked 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. Ede

I 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-Duncan

May 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. Ede

That is not the account that has been given to me by the police of what happened.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

Were any precautions taken in Dumbarton when some very doubtful characters from London appeared there recently?

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Does 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. Ede

If 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.