HC Deb 20 April 1911 vol 24 cc1043-4
Viscount WOLMER

asked the Home Secretary what steps he has taken to sift the charge, made in letters dated 25th and 28th February from the Rev. Lionel S. Lewis, of inaccurate information having been given in Parliament with regard to the arrangements for feeding police officers during the recent disturbance in Sidney Street; whether he is aware that Mr. Lewis pointed out that returns made by the police officers of the Leman Street section house on 7th February as to the hours they served, would substantiate the statements originally made by Mr. Lewis; whether he has called for those reports; if so, what was the maximum, minimum, and average number of hours that the men in question stated that they had been on duty, foodless and unrelieved; and whether the original returns can be published?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have again caused the statements made by the men concerned to be examined, and find that the information already given by me that the men may have been engaged for twelve or thirteen hours is substantially correct. According to the men's statements, the maximum number of hours is 14½, the minimum 11¾, and the average under thirteen hours. I see no reason for publishing any papers.

Viscount WOLMER

Has the right hon. Gentleman examined the reports himself?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, I have not read the reports myself. I have verified the actual facts, which I have stated to the House, that the men were employed on an average less than thirteen hours. It may very often happen that the police in times of emergency or soldiers in battle may be kept working rather beyond the ordinary hours.

Viscount WOLMER

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would give rather more confidence if he would publish the reports, which he has not examined himself, so that the public may have an opportunity of judging the matter?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am always ready to give the House full information, but we do not want to multiply frivolously and unnecessarily the publication of Parliamentary Papers, as the only result would be that nobody would read them with interest.