§ Mr. A. BEVANasked the Home Secretary under whose instructions the Metropolitan Police act in dispersing an orderly procession on the highway; whether the police were directed to disperse an orderly poster parade which took place in Kensington High Street on the evening of 28th October and whether any arrests were made; whether he is aware that the constable who made the arrest stated on oath that it was an orderly procession and he had no complaints in connection with it, but had been, with other police officers, ordered to break the procession up; and whether it is the practice of police to issue orders in advance for lawful processions on the highway to be dispersed?
§ Sir J. GILM0UROn the occasion in question the Commissioner of Police issued instructions that no organised bodies would be allowed to approach within half a mile of the Albert Hall during the time that a meeting of the British Union of Fascists was taking place in that building, and the organisers of a proposed counter-demonstration were informed accordingly. This step was taken with a view to preventing disorder and breaches of the peace arising from the contact of opposing factions. In pursuance of the instructions the police requested a procession of about 50 persons to disperse on their arrival at a point near Kensington Police Station, and at this point one person was arrested for obstructing the police in the execution of their duty; he was subsequently bound over in his own recognisance to be of good behaviour for three years. In reply to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the Senior Member for Dundee (Mr. Dingle Foot) on 28th March.