CROWD AT COMMONS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 51, 1 March 1934, Page 11

CROWD AT COMMONS

SEEKING ADMISSION

UNEMPLOYED,MARCHERS

PROTEST AT TREATMENT

(Brltlsb Official Wireless.) (Received March 1, noon.) RUGBY, February 28. An unusual scene was witnessed in the vicinity of the Houses of Parliament this afternoon when some hundreds of unemployed, including representatives of several sections of those who had marched to London from distant parts of the country, to take part in last Sunday's Hyde Park demonstrations, presented themselves individually for admission to the House of Commons, ostensibly to interview members for their constituencies. Normally, applicants for admission to the House do not overtax the accommodation available, but in view of the large number presenting themselves at the public entrance today the police on duty found it necessary to restrictadmissions. Those waiting admission were marshalled in a queue by the police mounted and on foot. Snow and sleet, which fell intermittently during the afternoon, added to the discomfort and taxed the patience of those waiting their turn to enter the House, but good order prevailed. After waiting for about two hours those who had been unsuccessful in securing admission dispersed. A large number of those who obtained admission were entertained to tea by their members of Parliament, one party comprising between 40 and 50. QUESTION KAISED. The subject was raised in the chamber by the Labour member, Mr. Mac Govern, who, on a point of order, interrupted the debate and protested that unemployed men seeking access to their members were being denied the right of admission, and were being discriminated against in favour of other members of the public • The speaker said that there had been, no change .n the ordinary rules governing admission. He accepted entire responsibility for. rules awl did not propose to alter them. The rules involved no distinction as between one class of persons and another. Mr. Mac Govern continued to protest and ovcntually angrily left s the House. Later the question was again raised by another Labour member, and the Deputy-Speaker, who was then in the Chair, said that he had made inquiries and his information was that nothing outside the ordinary practice had been done. No discrimination was being exercised, and the police were acting in accordance with their usual rule, which precluded the entry of further persons into passages and lobbies solong as they were as full as was convenient. Others therefore could not be admitted until some went out. The House accepted the explanation and routine business was proceeded with.