§ MR. MILDMAY (Devonshire, Totnes)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Murray Spicer, lately of the 35th Company Imperial Yeomanry, who has succumbed to injuries inflicted by roughs on the night of the peace illuminations; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving instructions to the police that they should, on Coronation night, deal severely with any such conduct in the streets as was indulged in, frequently with impunity, on Monday last. Perhaps the House will allow me to say, in putting the Question, that Mr. Murray Spicer was a trooper in my Yeomanry Company, and that no more trustworthy and conscientious soldier served the King in South Africa.
§ The following Question also appeared on the Paper:—
§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the murder of a merchant of the City of London, Mr. Murray Spicer, by a gang of roughs in Gower Street on the night of the peace celebrations; and whether, with the view of preventing such crimes by similar bands during the forthcoming Coronation celebrations, he will consider the advisability of drafting extra police from beyond the metropolitan area, or of making use of the services of the military, for the more effective patrolling of the streets of London, outside the line of route of the procession, during that period.
§ MR. RITCHIEMy attention has been drawn to a newspaper report of this case. The police are making every effort to bring to justice those who are responsible for Mr. Spicer's death, and three arrests have already been effected. Arrangements were made some time ago for the provision of additional police for the preservation of order in the metropolis during the Coronation, and the police will, of course, take such action as may be necessary to suppress disorder in the streets on the night of June 26th.
§ MR. FLOWER (Bradford, W.)Can the right, hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that on Monday night last the forces usually allotted for the control of these places were withdrawn, and sent into the centre of London?
§ MR. RITCHIEI do not know, but I will inquire if the hon. Gentleman gives notice.