§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether it is a fact that the proposed inquiry by Mr. Chester Jones into the action of the police in Bermondsey is to be postponed; if so, what is the reason for this postponement; and will he state when it is proposed that the inquiry shall take place; also to ask the Secretary of 1322 State whether he is aware that Metropolitan policemen are being placed on board barges working on the river; whether these policemen have been placed there in order to assist in the working of the barges; and, if not, what is the reason?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe inquiry was opened this morning by Mr. Chester Jones. I understand that after the opening and the receiving of names of witnesses he adjourned the inquiry until next Monday, in order that the necessary information should be obtained. There is not the slightest intention of postponing the inquiry. With regard to the Metropolitan police being placed on barges, a number of policemen have been placed on barges in order to afford protection to the men working the barges. There is no intention whatever that these policemen should work the barges, and they will be strictly confined to their proper duties of giving protection.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the inquiry this morning there was in attendance a very large number of trade union representatives and others who protested against the inquiry being adjourned, because they believed that there was nothing to be gained by adjournment? And with regard to the second part of his answer, that the police have been engaged only in protecting people on the barges, is he aware that the police in the Metropolitan area are blacklegging everywhere right and left, every one of them?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy hon. Friend will understand that the conduct of the inquiry must be left to Mr. Chester Jones, and it would be perfectly improper for me to interfere. On the second point in his question, I am quite unaware of any case of alleged blacklegging by the London police, and I am bound to say that no evidence of any sort of that kind has been brought before me.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we brought cases to his notice and the police made inquiries, and we received what is called the usual official information, and does he not know that the people who give this information are not going to dig their own graves?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, my hon. Friend brought cases to my notice in which the officers assisted the carts uphill when they were undoubtedly overladen, but they did so in the interests of the horses.
§ Mr. W. THORNEAnd of the employer.
§ Mr. McKENNAInstructions have been given that care should be exercised that carts should not overladen in future, also in the interests of the horses. There was one case of the policeman driving because the driver had fainted, and it was quite proper that he should drive.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman give the expression "black-legging" his official sanction?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is a current expression used by my hon. Friend, and I used it in the sense in which he used it.
Captain CRAIGI desire to ask whether it is in order for hon. Members on either side of the House to stigmatise by terms of opprobrium these men, who, after all, are prepared to do a fair day's work for a fair day's pay?
§ Mr. BARNESIs it in order for an hon. Gentleman to suggest that an hon. Member is fishing for a job when he is asking a question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI deprecate both these expressions. The one used by the hon. Member for South-West Ham did not appear in the notice which was handed in to me previous to the question being asked. I certainly object to some of the unmannerly references of a personal character which are occasionally passed across from both sides of the House.
Captain CRAIGOn that point I willingly withdraw the suggestion of any jobbery if hon. Members opposite will stop passing these remarks—[HON. MEMBERS: "No bargaining."]—as to blacklegs.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman made his observations before the other expression was used.