§ Mr. GROVESasked the Home Secretary the grounds upon which the prohibition of meetings within the proximity of Employment Exchanges was effected on 2nd December, 1931; and whether, provided no breach of the peace is feared at such meetings, he will withdraw such prohibition from such meetings?
§ Sir J. GILMOURMy predecessor, the right hon. Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel), in reply to a question by the hon. Member for West Walthamstow (Mr. McEntee) on 2nd December, 1931, explained the reasons why the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis considered it necessary to take steps to pre2472W vent the holding of meetings in the streets near Employment Exchanges. The reason briefly is that experience shows that meetings held in such circumstances are likely to lead to disorder and obstruction. The question has again been reviewed, and the Commissioner has decided that steps must be taken, as in the past, to prevent the holding of meetings in the streets near Employment Exchanges, but there will continue to be ample opportunity to hold meetings elsewhere.
§ Mr. GROVESasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that on 24th July, at 10.30 a.m., a public meeting was held outside the Stratford Employment Exchange and that the meeting was addressed by a Member of this House; and, as the gathering was of a very orderly character, necessitating no interference from the police and causing no annoyance or obstruction, will be give instructions for the removal of the ban placed upon such meetings in December, 1931?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that, on the representations of the police, the meeting referred to was held not outside the entrance to the exchange as was originally intended, but on another site about 20 yards away from the nearest door or window of the exchange. No disorder or obstruction occurred at this site. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to-day to a similar question by him on the same subject.