HC Deb 13 March 1911 vol 22 cc1862-3
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the practice of associations of employers to employ private police during strikes and lock-outs; if he is aware that two London firms engaged in the printing trade have at the present moment in their service a body of police in connection with the dispute in the printing trade; and whether he will consider the advisability, either by regulation or legislation, of compelling all persons acting in the capacity of private police to be sworn in as special constables?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I presume that by "private police" the hon. Member means watchmen who are not constables. I have no information as to whether or to what extent the practice he mentions exists; but I am aware that one or two firms of printers in London are now employing watchmen who are not constables to guard their works, and I understand some at any rate of these men are ex-constables. I have no power to compel these watchmen to be sworn as special constables, and I should hesitate very much before adopting a measure which would increase the powers of privately employed watchmen.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Liberty and Property Defence League have issued a circular inviting employers to take men from their organised special squads of police, and whether very great danger is not involved in that, seeing these men may be sent all over the country without being registered in any kind of manner?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Whatever may be the advantage or evil of such a practice we should gain no benefit by swearing them in as special constables, and would only give them additional powers. They are, of course, strictly bound by law.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is it not a fact that if they were sworn in they would be sworn in for the districts in which they were acting, and would not be able to be transferred all over the country, so that nobody knows where they come from?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have no power at all to swear them in.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain power?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Information as to legislative projects cannot be given in this way and on such short notice.