HC Deb 11 June 1986 vol 99 c176W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to introduce legislation to permit peaceful demonstrations outside the Old Bailey during the trial of criminal offences.

Mr. Giles Shaw

No such legislation is required. People are free to participate in demonstrations, provided that they do so within the law.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of the City of London police as to the number of arrests that have been made by the police of pickets outside the Old Bailey on 6 May and successive Mondays in connection with the trial of persons accused of conspiring to cause explosions; how many were arrested on each day; how many were charged, and for what offences; how many were released without charge; and what was the length of time they were held in custody before being so released.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The information requested in respect of each day on which a demonstration has been held is as follows:

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