HC Deb 29 May 1868 vol 192 c1042
MR. WHALLEY

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is the intention of the Government, to institute any inquiry as to the origin and nature of the recent riots at Ashton and other places in the county of Lancaster, and at Birmingham and other places in the counties of Warwick and Stafford; and whether the Government has made any and what provision for the better protection of public lecturers and those who may attend such lectures in the event of threats to suppress such lectures by riot and outrage, and then prevent the recurrence of such riots as before referred to?

MR. GATHORNE HARDY

Sir, I practically answered this Question the other night. It is not the intention of the Government to institute any inquiry at present, whilst trials are pending; and with respect to the latter part of the Question, I may say it seems to me that the matter is one that rests entirely with the local authorities.