§ 43. Mr. Barnettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about the handling of the demonstration in Oxford street organised by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament on 20 April.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Commissioner informs me that on 19 April demonstrators taking part in a march organised by CND sat down in Oxford street. When the march resumed, about 500 people refused to move. In order to relieve the serious traffic congestion caused, police removed demonstrators from the road. For the next hour demonstrators persisted in attempts to block the road and missiles were thrown at bus drivers and police officers. I understand that 72 people were arrested for a variety of public order offences.