HC Deb 03 July 1893 vol 14 cc673-4
MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the responsibility of the Government for the safety of the banking community on Thursday next, for which he pledged himself, will include an indemnity to the holders of bills who, by being prevented from effecting presentation of them, loss their right of recourse against intermediate endorsers?

MR. ASQUITH

I did not give the pledge the hon. Member attributes to me. What I stated was that the Government entertained no doubt as to the ability of the police to afford adequate protection on the day in question to every kind of property. Such a statement, I need hardly say, does not warrant the owners of property in neglecting any of the precautions which are appropriate to the circumstances, and which they are in the habit of adopting on Lord Mayor's Day and similar occasions. The Government, of course, can give no such indemnity as is suggested.