HC Deb 10 August 1911 vol 29 cc1358-61
Sir HENRY DALZIEL

May I ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can add anything to the information he gave the House yesterday with reference to the progress of the negotiations with regard to the settlement of the dock strike?

Mr. BUXTON

I cannot at the present moment make any general statement in regard to the position in London. But I am glad to be able to say that the adjourned conference at the Board of Trade to deal with the coal porters' dispute has just resulted in a complete settlement so far as regards that section of workers. The lightermen—employers and men—are at the present moment in conference at the Board of Trade; and the carmen and their employers have agreed to meet together at the Board of Trade offices later in the day. I can only repeat the hope that I expressed yesterday that nothing will be done which will impair the prospects of a general settlement which would result in early resumption of work at the port.

Mr. SANDERSON

May I ask, with reference to the very serious strikes in London and Liverpool, whether any and what steps are being taken by the Government to prevent breaches of the peace and to ensure that those who are desirous of working shall have a chance to do so?

Mr. HARRY LAWSON

May I ask the Home Secretary if he has heard this morning that gross outrages have been committed in the City, over the bridges, and at the railway termini on men driving trollies and vans; whether he is aware that vans have been overturned in the streets to-day; whether he is also aware that many traders have been prevented from delivering and receiving goods, and that the police have professed themselves unable to cope with the disorder, and what means he proposes to take to prevent that state of things continuing?

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is there any reason to believe that these scenes of violence are traceable to incitements to violence by unionists in Mile End?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The authorities in Liverpool have already been supplied with the military forces that they require. In London the Commissioner of Police has sufficient forces at his disposal for the moment. If a settlement of the dispute is not arrived at to-day as a result of the negotiations of which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has just given the House some account, it will be necessary for the Government to make a statement as to the steps which will be taken for the further maintenance of order and the food supply of London.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

In order to end these troubles, will the Government intro- duce and carry through a Bill establishing a minimum wage of 30s. a week?

Mr. HARRY LAWSON

If the police force is sufficient for the purpose why, in view of the outrages which have been committed to-day, have they professed themselves unable to afford the necessary assistance to those in charge of vans and trollies?

Mr. REMNANT

Have those members of the Metropolitan police force who have been sent outside the metropolitan area been recalled?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The whole of the Metropolitan police force is available. The Commissioner must be the judge of the detailed steps to be taken. He has a very large reserve which has not yet been called into use at all. I do not propose at all to interfere with the discretionary power which at present is his, and which I have the fullest confidence he will exercise wisely. If, of course, he should indicate that further force is needed, it will be immediately supplied.

Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that in Poplar last night some police patrols charged a crowd of men, women and children who were occupying the pavements on the main road, and that at the time of the charge they were simply watching the proceedings, and whether he will give such instructions to the police as will in future prevent the batoning of peaceful citizens?

Mr. CROOKS

May I be allowed to supplement that question, and ask the right hon. Gentleman if he thinks it desirable to send police into the district who are absolutely unknown to us or to the people there, he will put them under the control and authority of the local police, who do understand the people in the locality? If that had been done, there would have been nothing whatever of what occurred last night.

Mr. CHURCHILL

The circumstances of the incident were fully explained by a deputation at the Home Office this morning. I have brought the complaint to the notice of the Commissioner of Police, and it will be investigated and reported upon in due course. I should add, however, for general information, and not with any special reference to Poplar or other districts, that the police had been instructed to take all measures necessary for the maintenance of law and order, and per- sons guilty of acts of violence or intimidation of any kind will be promptly arrested.

Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether an ordinary citizen has the right of user of the public streets during this period, and whether the police have any authority merely to clear people off the pavements when they are walking about? That is the whole point as to which I wish to ask the Home Secretary—whether we have the right to be in the streets?

Mr. CHURCHILL

If disorder is in progress, persons will run considerable risks in placing themselves in positions where they are liable to be mixed up with people who are guilty of disorder.

Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that people are obliged in evening time to go marketing and getting goods for the next day, and that in this case they were occupying the public streets at the time they were attacked? Are they not entitled to the protection of the police, rather than to be attacked by them?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I said that these matters will in the ordinary course be inquired into, but I am very much disinclined to believe that the Metropolitan police would make attacks upon women and children.

Mr. CROOKS

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will be good enough to send again Superintendent Wells, who conducted the last dock strike through many turbulent scenes, and who never attacked the people with their batons? It is abominable.

Mr. CHURCHILL

If the hon. Member has any suggestion to offer I shall be glad to consider it.