§ Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the Chief Commissioner of Police a report in connection with the violent interruptions made at the Labour demonstration at the Bow public baths, on Sunday, 8th November; whether the names and addresses of the 20 Fascists that were ejected from the meeting by the police were taken; and whether summonses have been taken out against them for their interruptions and behaviour, which was likely to cause a breach of the peace?
§ Mr. LLOYDYes, Sir. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that arrangements had been made for six police officers to be on duty outside the premises in question for the purpose of keeping order. About 8.15 p.m. a message was received from the right hon. Member for Bow and Bromley to the effect that a disturbance was being created inside the hall by a certain section of the audience. The right hon. Member said that he feared that breaches of the peace would occur and requested the police to enter. The police thereupon entered the hall, and their presence by itself exercised a quieting influence. At question time there was considerable heckling and the stewards removed 20 interrupters who were accompanied to the street by the police, but no one was ejected by the police. The police were not requested to take the names and addresses of the persons ejected and 883W did not do so. No proceedings are contemplated by the police against any of the persons ejected.