HC Deb 13 February 1969 vol 777 cc1542-3
4. Mr. Jopling

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to designate a large open space such as part of Wimbledon Common or Richmond Park to be equipped with full Press and television facilities, and to be used for demonstrations, so that both police and property can be less subject to frequent disorderly attacks.

Mr. Callaghan

No, Sir.

Mr. Jopling

No one wants to stop demonstrations, but why should police, visitors to London and property-owners be subject to hustling and violence every Sunday? Is not the time coming when these demonstrations must be put in places where people are not put to inconvenience but where they can have full publicity?

Mr. Callaghan

I always associate Wimbledon and Richmond with tennis and polo, but if the hon. Gentleman wants to have demonstrations up in the Lake District no doubt he will put in a bid. However, I feel that we cannot very easily order people where they are to demonstrate.

5. Mr. Ogden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now cause an inquiry to be made into methods for the better personal protection of police engaged in the maintenance of law and order during political protests, marches, demonstrations, or civil commotions or disorders.

Mr. Callaghan

I keep these matters under review in consultation with chief officers of police and do not think any special inquiry is necessary.

Mr. Ogden

But would not my right hon. Friend agree that the standard police helmets help to identify rather than protect, and that the police officer who was injured in the Grosvenor Square demonstration would have been less severely injured if he had been wearing a standard crash helmet rather than his rather stupid police helmet? Will my right hon. Friend ensure that crash-type helmets are available to police in such circumstances?

Mr. Callaghan

I appreciate my hon. Friend's point, but there is a serious matter for consideration in relation to distinguishing the particular type of police who are dealing with these demonstrations. The Commissioner's view, which I share at the moment, is that this should be regarded as the duty of the ordinary policeman and the public are expected to respond in the corresponding manner. If they do not, as I have said on many occasions, I trust that the courts will take due note of what has happened.