§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (West Ham, S.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by whose authority were the Military and Naval Forces of the State sent to Hull to aid the shipowners of that port in breaking up a Trade Union registered under an Act of Parliament; whether the Government had power to refuse applications for the armed forces of the Crown in cases where no adequate reason for their presence had been adduced; whether any adequate reason had been shown in the present case; and, if not, would he order the immediate withdrawal of the soldiers and marines?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.The military were sent to Hull on the application of the Local Authorities, and the two gunboats on the application of the Local Authorities supported by the recommendation of the Secretary of Stale. They were sent to maintain order, not, to aid the shipowners, still loss with a view to break up any Trade Union. Strict orders were given to the Military and Naval Forces that they were not to give their help for any other purpose. The answer to the second part of the paragraph is yes. In answer to the third paragraph I have to say the fact that the Local Authorities, who are responsible for the maintenance of order and are on the spot with knowledge of all the local circumstances, consider military assistance necessary for that purpose is primâ facie proof that it is so. In the present case the Magistrates were of opinion that the police force at their disposal was not adequate to the preservation of the peace. If they fail in the performance of that duty they are liable to indictment, and for its performance they are entitled to call for the aid of any available Military or Naval Force. I have requested the Local 118 Authority to report what is, under existing circumstances, the necessity for the continued presence of Naval and Military Forces at Hull.