§ MR. NUSSEY (Pontefract)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the recommendation set forth in the Report issued by the Featherstone inquiry that the law as to dealing with civil disturbances should be consolidated, he would take steps to have a Consolidation Act drafted for submission to the House; whether, in view of the recommendation of the Report, he will consider the advisability of modifying the arms to be used by the troops on occasions of apprehended public disturbance; and whether he will make any recommendations to the Magistrates with regard to organising themselves in times of disturbance?
§ MR. ASQUITHAll the recommendations in the Report will receive the prompt and careful attention of the Government. But my hon. Friend will agree that until there has been time to give to them the consideration which their weight and importance demand it would be premature for me to make any announcement of our intention.
§ MR. NUSSEYI will repeat the question next week.
MR. KEIR-HARDIEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, considering the importance of the question, he will cause to be printed the Minutes of Evidence and Appendices on which the Featherstone Inquiry Commissioners have founded their Report?
§ MR. ASQUITHYes, Sir. The Evidences and Appendices are being printed, and will be ready for circulation as soon as possible.