Mr. J. JONESasked the Home Secretary whether he is a-ware that, in connection with a demonstration in Edmonton on behalf of the League of the Blind, a fine was inflicted for breach of the Regulation prohibiting street collections; whether, in view of the object of the demonstration, he will consider the possibility of having the fine remitted; and whether he proposes to withdraw this Regulation in common with others under the Defence of the Realm Act?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. The offence was not against any Defence of the Realm Regulation, but against the Regulations for Street Collections made under Section 5 of the Police (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1915. When a permit for the street col-934W lection was given to the organiser of the procession his attention was expressly called to the provisions of the Regulations. All the circumstances were taken into account by the Court which dealt with the case, and I see no reason for interfering with their decision.