§ MR. ALFRED THOMAS (Glamorgan, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will explain what is the reason for the importation of military forces into the colliery districts of South Wales; and whether, with a view to secure peace and good order, he will consider the desirability of withdrawing the troops from the districts in which no disturbance has yet occurred?
§ MR. S. EVANS (Glamorgan, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the numbers of military who have been sent down to Glamorganshire and the places which they have been ordered, and also at whose request they were so ordered; whether the Associated Colliery Owners of South Wales or any other local bodies or persons have undertaken to pay, or will have to bear any, and, if so, what proportion of the expenses incurred by the drafting of the military into the county and their maintenance there; whether there has been any difficulty in the maintenance of peace and order by 229 the police; and whether he is prepared to state to the House the facts which induced him to sanction the sending of military forces to localities where negotiations are now pending for the settlement of industrial differences between employers and workmen?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTThe aid of the military was called in, not by the Home Office, but by the local authorities. The reason no doubt was that disorders were apprehended with which the resources of the civil power would be unable to cope. Similarly, the withdrawal of the troops is a matter for the decision of the local authorities, with whom rests the responsibility of maintaining the peace. I may add, in reply to the honourable Member for Glamorgan, that the sending of military aid does not require any sanction. A Return of the number of troops in the district has been called for, but not yet received. The expenses incurred beyond those which fall on Army funds will, I presume, be defrayed as usual by the local authorities, but I have no special information on the point.
§ Mr. EVANSWill the right honourable Gentleman say who are the local authorities? Have there been any communications with the county council or the joint committee?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI have had no communication. Requisition was made to the military authority.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTThe magistrates—I cannot specify them over the whole district—who are primarily responsible for the maintenance of public peace; and if in their belief the ordinary police force is not sufficient for the preservation of peace they have the right to ask for the assistance of the military.
§ Mr. EVANSWill the right honourable Gentleman answer my Question whether the police found any difficulty in the maintenance of peace and order?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI understand that is taken for granted as a fact; the application implies the belief that the police are not able to maintain the peace.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTNo, the sanction of the Home Office is not required in these cases. I do not say we do not hear of it, but the application is not made to the Home Office.
§ Mr. EVANSWill the Home Secretary undertake to lay on the Table of the House, or have sent to Members desiring them, copies of communications made by those whom he called "the local authorities?"
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI have had no communications. I do not know who made them.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTThey would be local communications to the authority commanding in the district. That is not within my jurisdiction.