HC Deb 19 July 1962 vol 663 c87W
63. Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration he has given to the desirability of amending the Public Order Act, 1936, to take account of the danger of breaches of the peace being provoked by threatening, abusive or insulting words; and what further consultations he has had about the granting of permission for meetings in Trafalgar Square.

Mr. Brooke

I have under consideration proposals put to my predecessor last week by the right hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Gordon Walker) and the right hon. and learned Member for Newport (Sir F. Soskice) for the amendment of the Public Order Act, 1936. It is however already an offence under this Act to use threatening, abusive or insulting words with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or whereby a breach of the peace is likely to be occasioned. The decision whether or not permission should be granted for a meeting in Trafalgar Square rests with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works.

Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has studied the evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, regarding contraventions, within the Metropolitan Police District, of Sections 1 and 2 of the Public Order Act, 1936, by the training of a quasi-military organisation, describing themselves as Nazi storm troopers, who wear uniform to signify their association with a political organisation; whether he will investigate this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Brooke

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that it has so far not been possible to secure evidence sufficient to sustain a prosecution under Section 1 or Section 2 of the Act. The Commissioner has the situation under close review, and if sufficient evidence is obtained the facts will be reported to my hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General for consideration.