HC Deb 12 November 1908 vol 196 cc515-6
MR. JOWETT (Bradford, W.)

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the exact terms of the communication which the Mayor of Bradford recently addressed to the military authorities requesting troops to be held in readiness to assist the civil authorities.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The exact terms are as follows:—"The public authorities are apprehensive of there being a disturbance in the city to-morrow (Friday) evening on the occasion of a political meeting to be held in St, George's Hall. I trust that no disturbance will take place other than what the police will be able to cope with. I think, however, that it would be desirable that you should have as many of your men as can conveniently be spared in readiness, should the police authorities communicate with you and ask for your assistance." The hon. Member will notice that my reply to this Question on the 3rd instant gave substantially the terms of the communication.