§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that one of the partners of a firm of brokers was on 15th January, when he entered the London Stock Exchange, knocked down and kicked until he fainted by a crowd of stock jobbers interested in the war with the Transvaal, and that the perpetrators of this outrage thus ill-used this gentleman under the erroneous belief that his firm had refused to keep open the place of two clerks who had volunteered for service in South Africa; whether the Government intend to take any steps to bring to justice the ringleaders in this disorder; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Stock Exchange has been previously the scene of riotous proceedings in reference to the present war, he will take measures to prevent the repetition of similar outbursts.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolIt was open to the person stated to have been assaulted to take proceedings, and I can take no action in the matter. The Stock Exchange is a private place, and it is the duty of the authorities of the Stock Exchange to take whatever steps are necessary to preserve order therein.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLHaving regard to the influence the Government possess over the Stock Exchange, will the right hon. Gentleman recommend the authorities to take action?
§ [No answer was given.]