MR. J. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has been in communication with the Chief Constable of Anglesey on the subject of the riots that were reported in the newspapers to have taken place recently on the occasion of the levying of tithe distraints in the parish of Heneglwys; whether Mr. Peterson, the agent of the Clergy Defence Association, on that occasion refused to carry out all the distraints he had in hand, alleging that he was prevented from so doing by the riotous conduct of the people; whether the Chief Constable has reported to him that there was no riot on that occasion, and that there was nothing to prevent Mr. Peterson completing the work he had in hand, and that he had told Mr. Peterson so and urged him to proceed; whether Mr. Peterson declined to do so, and has since demanded the assistance of the military, and whether such demand has been refused by the County Magistrates, acting on the advice 1627 of the Chief Constable; and, whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into all the circumstances of the case?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The answer to the first two paragraphs is in the affirmative. The Chief Constable has reported to me that, in his opinion, the accounts of the rioting were exaggerated, and he saw no reason why the day's work should not be completed, 10 distraints out the 13 having already been made. I am informed by the Chief Constable that no application has been made to the Local Authorities for the assistance of the military. The Police Committee have had the whole matter fully brought to their notice, and I do not think that any further inquiry will be necessary.