§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the statement in The Middleton Guardian and Prestwich Advertiser of 4th March, that at Bury eight men from Royton and Oldham were lately brought before the Magistrates for seeking help from their friendly neighbours during the strike which is now proceeding in the cotton districts of Lancashire; whether it is a fact that they were all found to be genuine operatives, and that four were playing musical instruments, whilst four collected from the charitable public; whether the Magistrates were correct in telling them that they were violating the law; and is it illegal for cotton operatives to play musical instruments in the streets, and to collect funds from passers-by?
§ MR. ASQUITHAccording to the newspaper account as reported in The Bury Times of March 1st, the men were ostensibly collecting alms for the Oldham operatives on strike, but admitted to the police officers when arrested that they did not give the money to any Union or Society, but shared it among themselves. Upon these facts the Magistrates were of opinion—I think rightly—that an offence had been committed against the. "Vagrancy Act, 1824;" but believing that the men were not aware that they were breaking the law, they discharged them with a caution. There is no doubt that it is illegal for people to beg or gather alms for themselves in a public place.
MR. KEIR-HARDIE (West Ham, S.)Before putting my question on the Paper I want to put one arising out of the answer just given. I wish to know if the right hon. Gentleman will cause the law to be enforced against organ-grinders and others as it is being enforced against operatives on strike in Lancashire?
§ MR. ASQUITHOrgan-grinders, in the Metropolis at any rate, are subject to special legislation. I think the law ought to be impartially enforced whereever it is broken.
§ MR. J. BURNS (Battersea)May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will enforce the law, which he says should he impartially administered, to the Hospital Saturday Collection in London and elsewhere?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe hon. Member will see that a distinction must be drawn. These men were convicted by the Magistrates of soliciting alms, not for a charitable purpose or for other persons, but for themselves.