§ MR. THOMAS ROBINSON (Gloucester)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 66 whether he has seen the statement made in the Sunday Chronicle of 30th April, to the effect that a largo number of the men engaged at Hull are armed with revolvers and life preservers, in proof of which it is said the local gunsmiths have cleared out their stock of these articles several times during the present strike; and whether these persons have taken a licence to permit them to carry firearms; and, if not, what steps he intends to take in the matter?
§ MR. ASQUITHI am informed by the Chief Constable of Hull that it is the fact that there has recently been a considerable increase in the sale to the inhabitants of revolvers and life preservers. The Chief Constable is not aware, and has not the means of ascertaining, whether the purchasers have taken out or possess the necessary licences. It is a matter for the officers of the Inland Revenue, who will no doubt see that the provisions of the law as to licences are enforced.
§ MR. R. G. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)May I ask whether, in case the Government are unwilling to protect the peaceable inhabitants of Hull, they are not right in doing their best to protect themselves?
§ [No answer was given.]