§ Mr. MALLALIEUasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the conduct of police at the Hendon air display in attacking harmless pacifist demonstrators, in one case destroying a camera with which one was taking a photograph of the police attack on his fellow demonstrators; and is he aware that the only disturbances were caused by persons who attempted to take from the pacifists the leaflets being distributed, which persons, together with vendors of the "Blackshirt," the police left unmolested?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have had inquiries made, and the Commissioner of Police informs me that the real facts are as follow. A procession headed by a youth502W carrying a large red flag was marching towards the main gate of the aerodrome. Some of the demonstrators refused to obey police directions and a few minor scuffles ensued. As for the camera incident, I understand that the camera was accidentally knocked out of the hand of a bystander (who was not known to be one of the demonstrators) by a police inspector. The inspector apologised for the accident and gave his name and station to the owner, but nothing further has been heard of the matter. Nothing was seen by the police of persons attempting to seize leaflets which were being distributed. The action of the police throughout was directed solely to prevent any breach of the peace.