Public Meetings, London (Incidents)

HC Deb 17 March 1960 vol 619 cc1467-70

32. Mr. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that freedom of speech and of lawful assembly are being prevented by Fascist threats to break up meetings; and whether he will ensure that adequate police protection is available in the Metropolitan area to all organisations that suffer such threats of violence.

36. Mr. M. Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the insults and violence directed, in several parts of London, against people engaged in peaceful propaganda in support of the boycott of South African goods; and whether he will take steps to end this situation and so enable law-abiding citizens to enjoy their rights.

39. Sir L. Plummer

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what directions he has given to the Metropolitan Police, in view of the organised disturbances which are wrecking certain meetings in London.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have received reports from the Commissioner of Police of a small number of incidents involving disturbances at public meetings and minor damage to property. The police will take all practicable steps to give protection where it is needed and will take firm action when any breach of the peace is threatened.

Mr. Jeger

Will the right hon. Gentleman make that known to all the borough councils in London in view of the recent decision by the Chelsea Borough Council not to allow a hall under its control to be used for a public meeting which was to have been addressed by Lady Paken-ham, Lady Violet Bonham-Carter and Lord Altrincham, because of the threats by a small Fascist band that they would smash up the hall and destroy the meeting? Will he let the Chelsea Borough Council, in particular, know that it should not surrender to these undemocratic threats?

Mr. Butler

I cannot assume the responsibilities of local authorities, but the wider my Answer is read, the happier I shall be.

Mr. Stewart

Will the Home Secretary make it quite clear that any organisation of law-abiding people can conduct a meeting and express controversial views with the assurance that they will be protected from violence?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. This is a free country and the more opportunities for freedom of speech, the better things will be. The police understand their duties in this respect, and I think that the organisers of meetings understand their duties. I certainly give the undertaking that the police will attempt to preserve the freedom of speech.

Sir L. Plummer

Does the Home Secretary appreciate that there is a feeling among some of us, who have eyewitness experience of some of these meetings, that some of the police do not quite appreciate that it is their duty to protect people who are being insulted from the people who are insulting them? Would he draw the attention of the Commissioner of Police to the fact that it is necessary that policemen should understand the Public Order Act. 1936, and exercise it in favour of protecting people who are receiving rather rough treatment from the Fascists?

Mr. Butler

I have here six accounts of incidents, which is all I can find recently. In each case, I think, the police have acted with propriety. It is most important that they should so act. I hope that the House agrees that it is their normal duty to enforce, for example, Section 5 of the Public Order Act, to which the hon. Member referred.

Sir G. Nicholson

Does my right hon. Friend recollect that before the war answers almost similar to those which he has given today were given by representatives of the Home Office but that, nevertheless, Fascist organisations created disturbances which were a disgrace to this capital city? Will he undertake at any rate that things will not be allowed to go as far as that?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. In the recent administration of public order by the police I do not think that things have got out of hand. We are fully aware of the importance of public order. The point made by my hon. Friend will be borne in mind.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Is it not extremely important to prevent the mere threat of disorder from leading to people who control halls withdrawing the use of those halls from law-abiding citizens who want to meet there? Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree with me that this is the most important aspect?

Mr. Butler

Yes, naturally; but there are limits which my power cannot reach —namely, halls owned and occupied by local authorities.

Mr. Mendelson

Is the Home Secretary further aware that while, after the Trafalgar Square demonstration was over, the police behaved with great vigour and efficiency, while the demonstration was going on groups of Fascist hooligans in cars were circling the demonstration, which was peaceful, and were spitting at the participants in the demonstration, giving the Hitler salute, shouting "Sieg Heil" and deliberately taking action designed to provoke a breach of the peace? Does not he agree that it is time to take action against a bunch of hired Fascists directed by people who were traitors during the war?

Mr. Butler

I will leave the description of incidents to the hon. Member. After examining that incident, I am satisfied that the police acted with strength and propriety.