HC Deb 29 April 1937 vol 323 cc517-20
26. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Home Secretary whether he has made any further inquiries concerning the disturbances at Harworth during the last weekend; and whether he will make investigations into the repeated allegations of irregular police methods during the period of this industrial dispute?

Sir J. Simon

Since this matter was mentioned at the end of questions on Monday last, I have had a report from the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire, upon whom, of course, the responsibility rests in this matter. The disciplinary control of the conduct of the provincial police is, of course, not a matter for which the Home Office is responsible. The Chief Constable informs me that proceedings are pending against a number of persons who were involved in the disturbances at Harworth during the week-end, and members of the police forces will be witnesses and will be subject to cross-examination. I could not properly make a statement on this matter in the meantime. As regards the last part of the question, the hon. Member has sent me a pamphlet dated in March last discussing the earlier action of the police in the area, and I will communicate with him as soon as possible about it.

Mr. Bellenger

While acknowledging the right hon. Gentleman's action, may I ask him whether he is aware that bitter resentment is felt in the locality, not confined to any one class, at the callous, one-sided methods adopted by the police in this dispute?

Sir J. Simon

That must, of course, he partly a matter of opinion, upon which probably there are different views, and partly a question of fact. As far as the facts are concerned, I should think that the proceedings which are being taken are likely to bring the facts out.

Mr. T. Williams

May I ask whether, apart from the police court proceedings, the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire is instituting an inquiry into the general conduct of the local police which led to the disorders of last Friday and Saturday?

Sir J. Simon

The hon. Gentleman ended his question with an assertion. I am not to be understood as accepting it. I have communicated with the chief constable, and he has sent me a report of what has happened.

Mr. Paling

Is there any truth in the report in the newspapers about the police going to a dance hall and making arrests, which led to the trouble?

Mr. Speaker

I understand that proceedings are pending.

Mr. Paling

The Home Secretary said that he had a report from the chief constable. I am asking whether a certain fact is mentioned in that report.

Sir J. Simon

I could not give an accurate answer about that; my recollection is that the report shows that some persons were in a dance hall when the police asked them to come out and executed the warrants on them.

Mr. T. Williams

Is any reference made in the report to the midnight court held on Saturday to deal with the six persons who were apprehended; and, further, is that a normal course to adopt?

Sir J. Simon

If I understand it rightly, that is a question about the procedure of the court. That is not a matter on which I could express any opinion.

27. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Home Secretary how many persons have been prosecuted in connection with the disorder at Harworth on Friday and Saturday last; how many were persons who were on strike; and how many were working at Harworth Colliery?

Sir J. Simon

I am informed by the chief constable of Nottinghamshire that 34 persons have been charged with offences against Section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, 1875, arising out of the disorder at Harworth on Friday, the 23rd instant. All these persons were on strike. No proceedings have yet been instituted in respect of the occurrences on Saturday, the 24th instant.

Mr. E. J. Williams

Does this show that strict impartiality is observed?

Sir J. Simon

It surely depends on the facts.

Mr. Bellenger

Why were these proceedings taken under the Conspiracy Act while previous proceedings have been taken under the Public Order Act?

Sir J. Simon

I really cannot answer that question. I imagine they are taken under what is thought to be the appropriate Section of the appropriate Statute. Whether that is right or wrong will be decided in the proceedings themselves.

Mr. Paling

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the facts sent to him by the chief constable?

Sir J. Simon

I prefer to wait until the facts have been investigated by the Judicial Tribunal.

Mr. Bellenger

On a point of Order. The right hon. Gentleman has not dealt with the point raised. It is not a question of proceedings against the police or police action.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member has put his question. If the right hon. Gentleman is not responsible, he cannot be expected to give an answer.

Mr. Gallacher

Am I not allowed to ask if no police have been arrested for forcing their way into a dance hall on Saturday?

Mr. Speaker

There have already been at least six supplementary questions, and that seems sufficient.

Mr. Arthur Greenwood

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the grave situation in Harworth, which may involve the nation in a widespread industrial stoppage in the mining industry, he can make any statement on the progress of negotiations; and whether he will undertake that His Majesty's Government will make every effort to secure a satisfactory settlement of the dispute?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Baldwin)

The right hon. Member may be aware, from reports in the Press, that representatives of the different parties concerned in this dispute, namely, the Nottinghamshire Colliery Owners, the Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain and the Nottinghamshire Miners' Industrial Union, are respectively meeting the Secretary for Mines at the Mines Department to-day. I need hardly repeat that, as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend in the House of Commons on 13th April, His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the seriousness of the situation. The Mines Department have been closely in touch with the various parties throughout the dispute, and I am satisfied that everything possible is being done to find a solution of this very difficult problem.

Mr. Greenwood

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind the possibility of unfortunate developments this week-end and the need for a debate in this House early next week?

The Prime Minister

I shall certainly bear that in mind, but I very much hope that it will not be necessary.