§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the arrest of Fred. Henderson at Norwich, Whether he has now received from the Mayor of 675 Norwich the information for which he applied concerning the case; and, whether he will give the particulars of same?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have obtained a reply from the Mayor to the Questions addressed to me by the hon. Member on the 9th instant. It is a fact that Henderson was struck on the head; but Constable Mills says he struck him accidentally, as his horse was frightened and was plunging. The medical officer who saw Henderson afterwards stated that there was a slight bruise on the scalp. I am informed that it is not a fact that Henderson was dragged off to the police station at a quick trot through the streets. There was great disorder at the time of Henderson's arrest; and it was not until he had obstinately refused to move on, and persistently continued to incite the crowd, that he was arrested. The authorities are not aware, and do not believe, that there are a large number of witnesses, in Norwich prepared to testify to the misconduct of the police and to the serious attack made on Henderson. There are other points dealt with in the Report which I have received, but it is too long to read to the House; but I will be happy to show it to the hon. Member if he wishes.
§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)asked the Home Secretary, whether, in view of the fact that these charges of misconduct against the police were becoming monotonous, he would cause inquiry to be made into the whole matter?
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman did not obtain his information from the Mayor of Norwich, who was one of the chief promoters of, and speakers at, the meeting attended by the Marquess of Salisbury, and who received a letter from the noble Marquess expressing his great satisfaction at the way in which the police performed their duties on the occasion?
§ MR. M'CARTANwished to know whether, if the Home Secretary was furnished with the names of a number of most respectable citizens of Norwich who saw Henderson dragged through the street by the constable, with his horse at a full trot, to the Guildhall, he would order an inquiry into the matter?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have already stated, in answer to a Question, that I am not the proper authority to inquire into the conduct of the Borough Police, who are not under my jurisdiction. The person from whom I received my information was not the Mayor, but the Town Clerk, who informs me that the Mayor was present at the meeting in his private capacity, and that he only spoke on the vote of thanks to the chairman.
§ MR. CONYBEAREasked, whether there was any means of getting at the right authority; and whether they could summon the Mayor of Norwich to the Bar of the House?
§ [No reply.]