§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that on the 5th April instant, during a dispute between free labour men and Trade Unionists at the port of Hull, an agent of the Shipping Federation, Limited, named William Dennis, had in his possession a revolver with which he threatened certain men, and fired three shots in the air; and that a Mr. Taylor, an employé of the Shipping Federation, Limited, having entered a shed, another shot was fired through the keyhole of the door; if it is intended to make inquiries whether free labour men who are supplied by the Shipping Federation, Limited, are armed; and what steps will he take to prevent free labour men carrying firearms to the common danger of Her Majesty's subjects?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.It is true that the man Dennis fired three shots in the air with a revolver, and that shortly afterwards another shot was fired in a shed, but by whom and in what direction is not clear. I am informed that Dennis was instantly dismissed by his employers and has left Hull. The Chief Constable 1814 reports to me that, after inquiry, he cannot discover that any of the men employed by the Shipping Federation are in possession of firearms. I need hardly add that the carrying and use of firearms on occasions of this kind is a most dangerous and reprehensible practice, and ought to be discountenanced by all law-abiding subjects of the Queen.