§ 57. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police were employed in dealing with the sit-down demonstration in Whitehall on 29th April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonIn view of the announced intentions of the demonstrators, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis issued a direction under the Metropolitan Police Act, 1839, that on 29th April no person or vehicle should be permitted to obstruct any streets in the vicinity of Parliament Square. Copies of the direction were given to the organisers. When the demonstrators refused to comply with a police request to disperse, but instead sat down in Whitehall, in defiance of the Commissioner's direction, the police were obliged to take steps to clear the roadway. In doing so, they made 826 arrests. Some 3,012 police officers of all ranks were engaged. They are to be commended for the way in which they carried out their duty.