§ Mr. CARR-GOMMI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether he is aware that a very grave state of affairs exists in Rotherhithe, consequent upon the deep feeling of resentment, shared by all classes, owing to the violent methods of the police, who cleared the streets at eleven o'clock last night by means of charges, in which many persons, including women and children, were injured, and whether he can make any statement on the matter which would allay the bitterness which now exists?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)My hon. Friend brought to my notice this morning, at the Home Office, the fact that the disturbances had occurred last night in Rotherhithe in circumstances which led many of the inhabitants to conclude that the police were to blame. A full inquiry will be made into the facts of the case, but I am not at present in a position to say more.
§ Mr. CARR-GOMMMay I ask whether, in making this full inquiry, the right hon. Gentleman will receive information from both sides, that is from members of the public—I do not mean strikers—as well as from the police; and will he also press the matter on as urgently as possible?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, I propose that an impartial inquiry shall be held forthwith and all the relevant evidence taken.
§ Mr. O'GRADYWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries of all the local doctors as to the cases they had to treat as to the result of last night's action by the police on the men and women and children?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, certainly, all the evidence will be sought and received upon any of the relevant points relating to the disturbance last night.
§ Mr. CARR-GOMMMay I ask if he will specially find out in what state the streets; were in when the police commenced the charges in clearing the streets?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, that is obviously a very necessary part of the inquiry.
§ Mr. O'GRADYWill the right hon. Gentleman also make inquiry into the statement by the men that this charge of the police and batoning of women and children was to make way for a convoy some half-hour afterwards to go through?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, I am aware of the point the hon. Gentleman has put to me.