§ MR. J. STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Salvationists at Eastbourne were again assaulted on Sunday last, the police protection afforded them being totally inadequate to protect them from the violence of the mob; and that, notwithstanding this, only one arrest was made, whereas no less than 20 of the Salvationists had their names taken with a view to proceedings; whether, under these circumstances, he will require the Magistrates of Eastbourne to assure him that they have taken adequate steps to prevent a recurrence of these attacks on the Salvationists; and, in the event of their failing to do so, what steps will be taken?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have received a Report from the Chief Constable of 791 Eastbourne, who states that no assaults upon the Salvationists on the day in question were witnessed or heard of by the police, and that there was sufficient police strength on duty for purposes of protection. When the Salvationists returned to their barracks in the evening there was a good deal of hooting and pushing, and it was with some difficulty that the police escorted them into their barracks. One lad was arrested, and two men were summoned for disturbing the peace. The names of about 20 Salvationists were taken for a breach of the Local Act, but information has been laid in eight cases only. The Mayor emphatically assures me that the police protection afforded is quite adequate, and that strict orders have been given to the Chief Constable to prevent breaches of the peace. The task of the police is rendered more difficult by the fact that the Salvationists divide their processions and vary their route, apparently not desiring the presence of the police.