§ Mr. MANDERasked the Home Secretary the reasons why Miss Matheson, of 7, Crescent Road, Chingford, Essex, was refused permission by the local police to tour a loud-speaker van in Chingford in connection with propaganda for the peace ballot; whether he is aware that this van has been habitually used without restriction for touring for publicity and advertising purposes by loud-speaker; that in Chingford a similar loud-speaker was used by a parliamentary candidate without interference; and what were the reasons for this prohibition?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIt is not for the police to give or refuse permission for this purpose, and I am informed that the action of the police was confined to drawing Miss Matheson's attention to certain statutory provision, which, it was thought, might be infringed by the proposed use of the van. No previous use of this or any other similar van in Chingford has come to the notice of the police.