§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN (Kent, Faversham)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a meeting, stated to have been held at Tower Hill on Tuesday last, of the unemployed, when a speech was made by a Mr. Jewnes, described as organiser of the unemployed committee, and subsequently endorsed by a man described as a Socialist organiser, in which he said that:—As Government would do nothing for the unemployed, they must now take matters into their own hands. It was time to act, and wreck shops, if necessary, in order to obtain food. A secret society was being formed, and he warned the Authorities that, unless the demands of the unemployed were satisfied before Christmas, there would be a reign of terror in London unprecedented in the annals of history, and deeds would be 1604 perpetrated which would have more effect, and cause a greater sacrifice of life, than those which had occurred in the French Chamber of Deputies and at Barcelona; and if, on inquiry, he finds that these or similar words were uttered, what steps does he intend to take?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe statement referred to, and some others alleged to be of a similar kind, are at present the subject of inquiry and consideration. I shall be obliged if the hon. Member will further postpone his question for a few days.
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENOn Wednesday, December 27th.