of the condition of the licence and the meeting is deemed to be an
unlawful assembly. This appears to us wholly unreasonable. We
think the words "save with reasonable excuse" should be inserted.
// The additional requirement that the licensee should be
responsible for the maintenance of public order for an hour after
the final dispersal of the meeting seems at least difficult to
justify. When it is seen that there is no restriction whatever on
the directions which may be given (and given by any police officer)
so long as they are for ensuring the maintenance of public ar der
the lot of the licensee is indeed an unahppy one. We suggest that
he should be required to comply only with "reasonable directions".
As at present advised we do not think he can fairly be required to
comply with any directions after the final dispersal of the meeting
but if the section be amended so that the directions have to be
reasonable then it is possible that that would give him sufficient
protection.
Section 11
ction
12. In sub-seД(2) there arises the same objection as in
3.3: the word "reasonably" should be substituted for "in his
opinion". Particularly having regard to the blanket indemnity
conferred by s. 53 this would still give ample protection to any
police officer. The und e sirability of the existing wide discre-
tion is high-lighted by the fact that "any gathering ... of persons
whatsoever and wheresoever" may be dispersed under this provision.
This would include a peaceful gathering of employees outside a
factory on the occasion of a lock-out, a situation which can
possibly lead to a breach of the peace although not necessarily
likely to do so. We are disturbed at the possible effect this
provision in particular and the other provisions in general may
have on the trade union movement.
5.
5