§ Mr. PENNEFATHERasked whether at meetings in the public parks at which treasonable, seditious speeches have been made the police have been called upon to assist in maintaining order and silencing those who have protested against unpatriotic utterances; and, if so. what action the police have taken and what are their instructions as to the future?
§ Sir G. CAVEif the hon. Member will give particulars of the occasion to which he refers, I will make inquiry. The police have general direction not to intervene at meetings except to prevent disorder.
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Home Secretary if he is yet in a position to state whether the Government possess sufficient powers to prevent the preaching of treason and sedition in the public parks or their use for any purpose calculated to assist the enemy; if so, whether such powers will be promptly and strictly exercised; and, if not, when the Government will ask Parliament to confer the necessary powers?
§ Sir G. CAVEThere are sufficient powers to enable the Government to deal with treasonable or seditious speeches, and these powers will be exercised when ever the necessity occurs.