HC Deb 19 June 1969 vol 785 cc681-2
26. Mr. Alison

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the Chief Constable on the circumstances under which police were authorised to evict elected councillors of the Garforth Urban District Council from their Council Chamber on 2nd June, 1969.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

Two police officers attended a private meeting of the housing committee in chambers at the request of the clerk of the council. These officers, who went there solely to prevent any possible breach of the peace, were told that four councillors, who were not members of the committee, had stopped the business of the meeting proceeding by declining to leave when asked to do so by the chairman. The councillors concerned left the meeting at the invitation of the senior police officer.

Mr. Alison

Does the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend appreciate that the reason for which some of the Conservative councillors were sitting in at the meeting is that the majority party has disbarred any member of the opposition on the council from taking his place on any standing committee? [HON. MEMBERS: "Scandalous!"] As they represent over a third of the elected members of the council, does he not believe that it is obnoxious for the police to be prayed in aid for this sort of local petty tyranny?

Mr. Morgan

I cannot say whether the facts alleged by the hon. Gentleman are true. It is not for me to comment upon what Labour councillors might do in the circumstances or what Conservative councillors might do in similar circumstances. Where, in connection with a meeting on private premises, a constable has reasonable grounds to apprehend a possible breach of the peace, he is entitled to enter and remain on the premises.