HC Deb 01 June 1896 vol 41 cc220-1
SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he can give an assurance that the proper authorities will take all such steps as may be necessary to vindicate the law by the prosecution of persons concerned in the outrages on East Coast fishing boats at Newlyn?

MR. HARRY FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)

also asked the Home Secretary, whether any steps had yet been taken for the prosecution of the rioters at Newlyn, and in the event of the local authorities having failed to do their duty by instituting prosecution, whether he would give instructions for the Treasury to prosecute the offenders, and whether he would direct the police authorities to assist in procuring the necessary evidence?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

I have instructed the Treasury solicitor to render such legal assistance as the police may require in the prosecution of those concerned in the recent disturbances. I have heard from the Justices this morning that 15 informations have been laid.

SIR JOHN COLOMB

I beg to ask the Attorney General, under what acts, by what procedure, and from whom can compensation be obtained by the East Coast boat-owners and fishermen for loss inflicted upon them by unlawful acts done on the Cornish coast within the limits of area under the control of local authorities, and beyond these limits?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER,) Isle of Wight

My only knowledge of the facts is from the reports in the newspapers. As I understand them, there is no means by which the East Coast boat-owners can obtain compensation for the losses inflicted upon them, except by civil proceedings against the persons who were guilty of the acts complained of. The only statutory provisions applicable in such cases are those contained in the Riot (Damages) Act, 1886, and Section 515 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, neither of which have, I believe, any application to the case in question.

MR. HARRY FOSTER

asked whether, in view of the serious defect in the law to which the hon. and learned Member had just called attention, Her Majesty's Government would bring in a Measure for the purpose of remedying this defect so far as shipping property was concerned.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

My hon. Friend will recognise that a Question asking Her Majesty's Government to bring in a Bill for such a purpose must be addressed to the Leader of the House; but I will say, on my own behalf, that this question of making a neighbourhood liable is one of very great difficulty, and could only be undertaken after the very gravest consideration.