§ 6. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are being made by the Metropolitan Police in connection with the Easter march of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
§ 51. Mr. Hamlingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special arrangements are being made by the Metropolitan Police in connection with the Easter march of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
§ Sir F. SoskiceThe Commissioner of Police will make a final decision on the measures to be taken by the Metropolitan Police when arrangements for the march have been completed by its organisers.
§ Mr. MartenI thank the home Secretary for that reply. Can he give an assurance that no C.N.D. sympathisers in the Government will take part in these activities in the Metropolitan area?
§ Sir F. SoskiceI can give no assurance whatsoever; processions are perfectly lawful in this country.
§ Mr. FisherMay I press the right hon. Gentleman a little on this matter? How many of his right hon. Friends will be marching this year, and does he know whom they will be?
§ Sir F. SoskiceI have not the slightest idea. It is entirely a matter for them.
§ Mr. SnowWould not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that these marches of protest serve a useful purpose in forming public opinion as exemplified by the march now being walked—if that be the correct term—with the encouragement of President Johnson in America?
§ Sir F. SoskiceI thought we lived in the greatest democracy in the world. I always thought that marches, public processions and public addresses were one of the ordinary instruments of democracy and extremely useful.