HC Deb 28 July 1937 vol 326 cc3127-8W
Mr. Gardner

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. J. S. Layzell, of 11, Whyteville Road, Forest Gate, was arrested, on 16th July, 1937, at the instigation of a man in plain clothes who called to a uniformed police constable to arrest Mr. Layzell for chalking "Arms for Spain" on a road in connection with a chalked advertisement of a meeting to be held in Stratford Town Hall; that chalking on the roads is not illegal in West Ham; that Mr. Layzell was informed by a police inspector later at Green Street Police Station that he had been arrested for action likely to cause a breach of the peace, and that after this he was told he could go; and whether he can now give the reason for Mr. Layzell's arrest?

Mr. Lloyd

My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who informs him that the constable in plain clothes referred to exceeded his duty in effecting this arrest. I understand that when Mr. Layzell was taken to the police station, the inspector on duty refused the charge as no offence against the general law or the West Ham by-laws was disclosed, and tendered a suitable apology to Mr. Layzell.