HC Deb 08 June 1891 vol 353 cc1832-3
DR. TANNER

I beg to ask the Home Secretary whether any steps will be immediately taken by the Home Office to mediate in the present omnibus strike in London,. with the object of terminating the present public inconvenience and gaining for the overworked and ill-paid omnibus employés their just demands for a 12 hours day?

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

Is it true that armed policemen are accompanying the pirate omnibuses; and, if so, by whose authority?

MR. MATTHEWS

The Home Office cannot undertake to mediate between employers and employed in a trade dispute such as now exists in relation to the omnibus traffic of London. The duty of the Home Office is to preserve order and prevent breaches of the law by either side. Any interference with the merits of the dispute itself would probably do more harm than good. With regard to the question of the hon. Member for Lanarkshire, I am not aware that the police have accompanied any omnibuses, but they will, of course, afford such protection as is required.

MR. PICTON (Leicester)

May I ask whether the police have made, or are about to make, any alterations in the regulations relating to the licences and badges of omnibus drivers and conductors?

MR. MATTHEWS

I must ask that the question be put down on the Notice Paper.