MR. J. ROBERTS (Flint, &c.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, as it is admitted that the Solicitor to the Clergy Defence Association and the Emergency men in attendance upon him are in the habit of 579 going to tithe seizures and sales in Wales armed, he will issue such instructions as will prevent their doing so in future?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)As far as my Information goes, on only one occasion have the bailiffs gone armed to tithe seizures, and then for special reasons, which I have already stated. Under these circumstances, I see no necessity for issuing instructions on the subject, even if I had the power to do so.
§ MR. T. E. ELLIS (Merionethshire)asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman had made further inquiry with regard to the wearing of arms beyond that which had resulted in the answer given to the House on the 23rd of February?
§ MR. MATTHEWSreplied that he had made no further inquiry.
§ MR. T. E. ELLISasked that the right hon. Gentleman would do so; because information he had received showed that these bailiffs went about armed at every tithe sale and every tithe distress.