§ Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Rhondda)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention had been called to the sentence of twelve months' hard labour passed on William John and John Hopler by Mr. Justice Lawrence at the recent Glamorganshire Assizes for rioting, and, if so, whether he would ascertain how far the express recommendation of mercy of the jury was taken into account by the judge in passing such sentence; whether he would inquire into the statement made to the jury by the counsel for the prosecution that sixteen men were convicted by the justices at Pontypridd for offences arising out of the riot for which the prisoners were convicted; and whether, having regard to the claim that the police should be admitted to meetings of the workmen notwithstanding that meetings of the employers in industrial disputes were invariably held in private, he proposed to take any action in this matter?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have seen the reports of this case. The men in question are entitled without cost to themselves to bring their case before the Court of Criminal Appeal and urge any pleas that can be put forward in their behalf. So far nothing has been brought to my notice that calls for action on my part. I do not find any statement in the report that sixteen persons were convicted by the justices, and in any case it would not be a material point. I am informed that no claim was made at the trial that the police should be admitted to the men's meetings, though it was stated that in fact they were not admitted.
§ Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Rhondda)If the police do not claim to be allowed to enter these meetings, why do they make complaint that they were not allowed to go in?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe report which I have on the case is that no claim was in fact made by the police.
§ Mr. W. ABRAHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the police complained that they were not admitted?
§ Mr. McKENNAAt the instance of my right hon. Friend I will inquire.