§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he will institute an inquiry into the truth, or 183 otherwise, of the following statement made by Mr. William Smith, bath attendant; 51, Lever Street, Goswell Road, E.C.:—
On Sunday afternoon, 20th November, 1887, about 3 o'clock, I was in a procession proceeding along Holborn to Hyde Park. As the procession approached Southampton Street, I saw a cordon of police drawn right across the roadway of Holborn. When the procession was from 20 to 30 yards from the police, the latter, without any notice or warning, ran towards the procession with their truncheons drawn. Before I had time to get out of the way, I was knocked down by a policeman with his fist. I was struck on the nose and mouth; three of my teeth were knocked out. I got up, and was immediately knocked down again by a blow from a policeman's baton over the right eye.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)If Mr. Smith will make his statements not through the hon. Member in this House, but to a magistrate or to the Commissioner of Police, they will be duly inquired into. I am informed that there is no record of his having made any complaint.