§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he has power to take any notice of the riotous proceedings which have been lately described in the daily papers as having recently occurred at Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, on the occasion of a meeting of agricultural labourers, where it is alleged that the speakers were assaulted by a number of intoxicated persons, and a riot took place in consequence; and if his attention has been called to the conduct of the local police, who it is stated not only did not protect the speakers from violence, but previous to the meeting had announced their intention of not doing so, while one of the constables by offering to fight one of the speakers materially increased the disturbance; and, if it is not in his power to take any notice of the above facts, to ask if he will next Session introduce some measure giving the Home Office the necessary powers to protect the right of public meeting, and thereby remove the belief which is being extensively disseminated by various persons in some of the country districts that an attempt is being made to put down the movement at present going on among the agricultural labourers by physical force, with the connivance of the local authorities?
MR. BRUCESir, as I only saw this Question a few moments before entering the House, I cannot give a very specific answer to it. I do not know upon what authority the noble Lord has made this statement; but I presume that no hon. Member of the House would put such a Question without having taken some pains to ascertain the accuracy of the statements contained in it. I may remind the House that these statements in newspapers are often only the embodiment of flying rumours, and on examination are frequently found to be very inaccurate. I have received no information on the subject, nor do I know whether the statements on which the noble Lord relies are well founded; but assuming for the moment the accuracy of the statements just made, 806 I may say that the Secretary of State has power to notice riotous proceedings of this kind, and that if such proceedings occur it is his duty to call the attention of the magistrates to them. Further, if the police behave in the manner here imputed to them, the persons who have so misconducted themselves are subject to punishment, and those who are responsible for not preventing a riot which they might have prevented would be subject to the observation of the magistrates, which would be severe or otherwise, according to the circumstances of the case. The noble Lord also asks whether I am prepared to bring in a Bill next Session to afford further protection to the right of public meeting, and to enlarge the powers of the Home Office for that purpose. My answer is that I cannot undertake to bring in any such Bill, nor do I believe there is any necessity for it. The local authorities are armed with sufficient powers to prevent or suppress a riot. Wherever a riot is apprehended, the magistrates are enabled to call in aid all the force of the county; and if that is not sufficient, they may communicate with the Home Office to obtain assistance from the central authority. If the magistrates neglect their duty, or if they connive at the riot or refuse to take the necessary means to suppress it, it is in my power, and in the power of any resident in the district, to make representations on the subject to the Lord Chancellor, and no doubt the Lord Chancellor would do his duty in the matter.