§ 38. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those prosecuted for offences arising from the recent demonstration of unemployed outside the House of Commons resided in, or came from, the north of England and other areas of acute unemployment; and if he will make a statement in respect of this disturbance.
§ Mr. BrookeOf the nine persons arrested outside the House of Commons, all were from London and the Home Counties, other than two from Liverpool.
I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the organisers of the demonstration were anxious to comply with police requirements for the orderly conduct of the demonstration, and had indeed arranged for a number of stewards to assist the police in controlling the queue of people waiting to see their Members. The organisation and control during the morning were good, but later the organisers' control of the situation deteriorated through the intervention of extremists, and the police were compelled to take strong measures to restore order and secure compliance with the Sessional Order.