§ MR. DALYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is true that a meeting of colliers, computed at 20,000, was held at Amber-wood Common, near Hindley, on Wednesday 27th ultimo, at which some constables in plain clothes on being recognized were grievously maltreated, since numerous acts of violence were committed; and, whether, in vindication of Law and order, and for the protection of life and property, he will deem it his duty to advise Her Majesty's Government to pass some measure of coercion or repression for this disturbed portion of Her Majesty's dominions?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTI promised the other day to explain the facts; but I did not expect the hon. Member would call on me to offer any opinion on the subject. The facts, as stated to me by the Chief Constable of Lancashire, are that a meeting of colliers on strike, estimated as numbering about 20,000 persons, was held near Hindley on the 27th ultimo, that stones were thrown, and that the police and inspector of police, and several constables who had been sent to watch the proceedings, were struck, but were not seriously hurt, and that they all resumed their duties the next day. Towards the end of the meeting there was some little damage, it 265 appears, done; but no information has reached me which leads me to believe that the ordinary law will not be sufficient to meet this state of things.
§ MR. DALYsaid, a baker's cart had been stopped and robbed, colliery buildings had been broken into, and the tubs thrown down the pits. He should make it his business, under these circumstances, to furnish the right hon. and learned Gentleman with the details of those matters.