§ MR. ISAACasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the serious rioting at Great Grimsby on the occasion of the recent Election; and to know if the military authorities are still in the possession of the town?
§ SIR EDWARD WATKINBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question, I wish to put another to him, which, perhaps, he will answer at the same time. I wish to know whether he is not aware that the recent election at Grimsby was a thoroughly peaceful and good-humoured election, and that no disturbance took place until four hours after the close of the poll? I wish to know further, whether it is not the opinion of the authorities of Grimsby that the disturbances were promoted by foreign agencies, and if one of the foreign agents was not a gentleman who gave the name of Lamb, and who is assumed to be one of the well-known Lamb family of Nottingham?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSThe hon. Member who has just sat down will excuse me if I decline to answer, or rather refrain from answering, the Question he has put to me, because I know nothing, and do not wish to know anything, about the Great Grimsby election, except what is contained in a telegram from the Mayor, which I have now before me, and which, with the permission of the House, I will read. It states that two hours after the declaration of the poll considerable rioting took place, and that damage was done to property to the amount of £900. The Mayor thought that the police were not equal to dealing with the rioters, and therefore he very properly sent for the soldiers; but before the soldiers arrived the police had received assistance, and were able to put down the disturbances. One-half of the soldiers went away on Saturday, and I believe that the rest of them left this morning. Twenty-five of the ringleaders have been arrested, and will be put upon their trial. No serious personal injury has been done, and no lives have been lost.