HC Deb 28 November 1968 vol 774 cc172-4W
Mr. Peter M. Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria were used by the Metropolitan Police on Sunday, 27th October to search selected vehicles at the junction of the M1 and A5.

Mr. Callaghan

Judgment, based on experience, of the likelihood that offensive weapons were being carried.

Mr. Peter M. Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offensive weapons were found by the Metropolitan Police on vehicles travelling to London on Sunday, 27th October; how many persons were charged; and how many convicted.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of offensive weapons taken from those who took part, or intended to take part, in the demonstration in London on 27th October.

Mr. Callaghan

The number of offensive weapons seized is not available. The following items were found in the possession of those arrested on 27th October for possessing an offensive weapon:

  • Bags of flour.
  • Bottles.
  • Dyes.
  • Fireworks.
  • Gas pistol and ammunition.
  • Knives.
  • Marbles.
  • Razor blades
  • Sticks.
  • Weighted chain.
Five persons were arrested as a result of articles found in vehicles. Two of them were convicted.

Mr. Peter M. Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what authority vehicles were stopped by the Metropolitan Police at Toddington Service Station on the MI on Sunday, 27th October.

Mr. Callaghan

Toddington Service Station is in the area of the Bedfordshire and Luton police force. The Chief Constable informs me that members of his force were acting in pursuance of their duty to prevent breaches of the peace.

Mr. Peter M. Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the grounds on which the Metropolitan Police stopped and searched the hon. Member for High Peak and his wife at 12.25 p.m. on Sunday, 27th October.

Mr. Callaghan

The Commissioner of Police has rot been able to trace the incident involving my hon. Friend. The Metropolitan and other police forces stopped several hundred vehicles on 27th October to search for offensive weapons which might be used to cause a breach of the peace at the demonstration arranged for that day.