§ Mr. Cluseasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, arising under orders issued by his Department in declaring Upper Street, Islington, a banned area, responsible local organisations are unable to obtain information from the police authorities as to the legality or otherwise of poster parades by one or more persons, slogan-shouting by one or more persons, door-to-door canvassing by groups of persons, public meetings, outdoor and indoor, collections and literature selling, and the use of mobile loudspeakers in a banned area; and whether he will inform the House on these matters?
§ Sir S. Hoare:I have seen the correspondence to which the hon. Member refers. Whether the various methods of demonstration which he mentions would contravene either the Order prohibiting in a specified area all processions of a political character, or other legal provisions relating to the preservation of order in the streets, is a question which can only be determined by reference to all the facts and circumstances of a particular case; and neither the police nor I 1068W are able to give any general assurance in advance that a particular method of demonstration would in no circumstances involve contravention of the law; but, as indicated in the correspondence, if the police are given beforehand particulars about any proposed demonstration, they will do their best to assist the promoters by advising them as to the relevant provisions of the law.