§ 39. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to limit all demonstrations in the Metropolitan Police area, above a manageable size, to Hyde Park.
§ Mr. CallaghanNo. Even if this were within my powers, I doubt whether a restriction of this kind would be practicable.
§ 42. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to obtain powers analogous to those contained in the Prevention of Violence (Temporary Provisions) Act 1939 to make expulsion orders and prohibition 307W orders against persons not ordinarily resident in Great Britain through the last 20 years who are concerned in the preparation or instigation of acts of violence designed to influence public opinion or Government policy.
§ Mr. CallaghanNo. I am not satisfied that there is a need for such exceptional powers at the present time.
§ 43. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to make it an offence analogous to the offence in section 1 of the Tumultuous Petitioning Act, 1661, for more than a prescribed maximum number of people to proceed to an embassy for the purpose or purported purpose of presenting a petition, complaint, declaration or other address.
§ Mr. CallaghanNo. Power to protect embassies and control demonstrations are already available to chief officers of police under other legislation.
48. Mr. Geoffrey Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deputations of foreigners were allowed to attend the Peace in Vietnam demonstration in Trafalgar Square on 17th March which terminated in a riot; from what countries they came; and whether they were required to produce passports on entry into Great Britain.
§ Mr. EnnalsI was informed by the Commissioner of Police that students from Germany, Holland, Sweden, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Iran were observed at this demonstration. All foreign nationals entering this country are required to produce passports.
§ 53. Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated extent of the partipation of students from British universities in the demonstration in Grosvenor Square on 17th March; and which universities were involved.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe police do not find it possible to make an estimate.
§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police horses were injured in the demonstration in Grosvenor Square on Sunday, 17th March; what was the 308W nature of their injuries; and whether any have had to be destroyed.
§ Mr. CallaghanNine police horses were injured of which eight received minor abrasions and scratches and are back on duty. The remaining horse sustained a puncture wound in its neck and is recovering under veterinary supervision.
§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will introduce legislation to provide that those found guilty of disturbing the peace, causing wilful damage to public and private property, or, failing them, the organisers of demonstrations causing this, should make full payment for the repair of such damage as would otherwise be met by the taxpayer and ratepayer.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe criminal courts already have power to order persons convicted of committing damage to property to pay reasonable compensation for the damage. The Advisory Council on the Penal System is examining the question of reparation by the offender and I shall consider the need for further legislation in the light of its recommendations.
§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many extra police were called on duty because of the demonstrations in Grosvenor Gardens and Trafalgar Square on Sunday, 17th March;
(2) what has been the cost of the extra police precautions made to cover the demonstrations in Trafalgar Square and Grosvenor Square on Sunday, 17th March; and what estimate he has made of extra payments required to cover damage to the police and their property.
§ Mr. CallaghanI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Alan Williams) on 25th March. The full cost of replacing all items of police uniform and equipment lost or damaged would be about £1,150.—[Vol. 761, c.201.]
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish the names of the individuals and organisations responsible for the pro-Vietcong demonstrations in 309W Trafalgar Square and Grosvenor Square on 17th March; what other organisations took part; and who were the individuals who came from abroad especially for the occasion.
§ Mr. CallaghanI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings) on 26th March and to the reply I gave today to a Question by the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield-Digby).