§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the case of Henry Brierley, mentioned in The Manchester Guardian of 8th instant, who was locked up for parading the streets of Manchester with a brass band and soliciting donations from passers by, and discharged on giving an undertaking not to commit the alleged offence again, is he aware that Brierley is the Chairman of 5 District of the Amalgamated Card and Blowing Room Operatives' Association, and that he and several other officials of that Association were collecting funds for the men who had been locked out; is it an offence for English operatives to collect voluntary contributions in the manner described, when it is not alleged that any riotous conduct took place or obstruction was caused; and is he aware that on the 1st May traffic is suspended for several hours throughout the busiest portion of the city by a Mayday procession of vehicles and horses, and also on Whit Monday by processions of school children; and is there any reason why some latitude should not be given to proceedings like those referred to in the first paragraph, in the exceptional circumstances at present existing in the cotton manufacturing district?
§ MR. ASQUITHWith regard to Henry Brierley, I have been promised a Report from the Magistrates after Wednesday next, and with regard to- the. May-day procession I am in com- 1858 munication with the Chief Constable of Manchester on the subject. Perhaps my hon. Friend would put this question down for Friday, so as to enable me time to receive the Reports.