Mr. Silverman, who demanded an inquiry into the methods of
the police at the January demonstrations, and Mr. Bellenger, who raised the question of Sir Reginald Ford's appointment as London's Food Controller, on the adjourn- ment on Monday and Tuesday, were both fortunate in having nearly three hours at their disposal instead of the usual thirty minutes. The House, too, stayed to listen. Those who demanded an inquiry strengthened their case by studiously refraining from attacking the Police Force ; indeed, all suggested that the inquiry was in the interests of the police, with which Commander Bower, who was un- necessarily provocative, agreed. Official Labour apparently boycotted what was, in effect, a popular front demand. Sir Samuel Hoare put the case for the police very well, but he did wisely in agreeing to further investigation of the com- plaints. Again, on Tuesday, the criticisms were put moderately by Mr. Bellenger. Mr. Alexander and Sir Joseph Nall shattered between them the defence which Mr. Stanley had erected, and there was nothing for him to do at the end but to promise to reconsider what, to the House, appeared more and more as a modern version of Plaza-Toro. As the ingredients for trouble were there plentifully in both episodes, it was fortunate that Sir Samuel Hoare and Mr. Stanley, who have both learned in their time to bow grace- fully to the storm, were the Ministers concerned.
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