§ 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 inst., 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; whether he is aware that Brierley is the Chairman of No. 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 May-day procession of vehicles and horses, and also on Whit Monday by processions of school children, and that a few months ago a huge procession paraded Manchester to collect subscriptions for the Lifeboat Fund, which started from the Town Hall, and was marshalled by the City Police; and whether there is 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. ASQUITHI find upon inquiry that the facts are as stated in the first two paragraphs, except that Brierley was not locked up but released on bail. As to the third paragraph, begging in a public place is an offence under the Vagrancy Act, and the Magistrate was of opinion that in soliciting money in the streets to be shared by himself and others Brierley had committed this offence. As to the fourth paragraph, I am informed that traffic in Manchester is not suspended on May Day, but that it is suspended on Whit Monday. The facts as to the lifeboat procession appear to be as stated by my hon. Friend. The Mayor has power under a local Act to suspend traffic in Manchester on special occasions. As to the fifth paragraph, an application was made on the 28th February by an Operatives' Association to the Watch Committee for permission for their members to go out begging with a brass band on Saturday. The Committee refused to comply with the application on the ground (as I am informed by the Chief Constable) that such proceedings not only obstructed the traffic and frightened the horses, but that it would be impossible to tell whether the band and the persons collecting were properly authorised by the Association, or to secure that the money subscribed would be applied to the object for which it was given.