HC Deb 09 August 1881 vol 264 cc1385-6
MR. RITCHIE

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to a speech made by Mrs. Besant at the Hall of Science on Sunday evening, to the following effect:— Mr. Bradlaugh had desired on Wednesday last to fight the battle alone; hut he now hade her tell them that he intended to go down to the House of Commons; that he did not mean to be prevented by the means that had been used against him; that the next time he went he would take care to protect himself against any violence. He bade her tell them why he appeared to be so patient the last time, but he also bade her to tell them that he did not intend to show the same forbearance again. Mrs. Besant gave an account of the reception which she and the daughters of Mr. Bradlaugh met with at the House of Commons on Wednesday. She remembered the order which their leader had given them—' Don't struggle with the police; don't fight with the police;' but had she known of what was going on in the Lobby when she stood on the steps leading from Westminster Hall, she would have let their sup- porters go and show Mr. Speaker Brand something of the same sort that his mob of police were showing to a Member of Parliament. She advised them to make good use of their time, and said 'a little drilling would not be bad, because otherwise the police have a great advantage over you.' They would do well to join the Volunteer regiments, and take advantage of the drilling and the training. It was always well to know how to be able to guard themselves. The Volunteer regiments were perfectly legal, and the more that joined them the better would it be for their own cause in the future. Mr. Bradlaugh was going to the House of Commons again, but he was not going to tell them when. He was not going to let the officials know when he was going, but he would let a large number of his own supporters know; whether such speech had come to the knowledge of the Government prior to their decision, announced to the House yesterday, to deal with the question of Mr. Bradlaugh's admission to the House next Session; and, whether the Government will take measures to prevent the threatened riot?

MR. GLADSTONE

I knew nothing whatever of this speech till I read it in the Votes this morning. In regard to the maintenance of order in the neighbourhood of this House, I have nothing to add to what has been said by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whose duty it is, of course, to support by every means in his power the authority of this House; nor have I any reason to suppose that those means will be inadequate.