HC Deb 17 June 1912 vol 39 cc1320-1
67. Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)

asked the. Home Secretary if he will state the number of cases in which individual strikers have been prosecuted for acts of violence and disorder during the present transport workers' dispute, and how many of such cases arose out of steps taken by the employers which would come under the head of provocative action as defined by him in relation to the case of Messrs. Houlder Brothers?

Mr. McKENNA

There have been 241 persons charged with the following offences in connection with the dock and transport workers' strike, up to and including the 15th June:—

Using threatening or insulting words or behaviour 177
Assaults on private persons 52
Intimidation 23
Assaulting or obstructing police 31
Drunken and disorderly conduct 14
Throwing stones at convoy 1
Larceny from van 1
Suspected person found in dock 1
Wilful damage 2
There were forty-eight persons charged with two offences, two with three offences, and three with four offences. Of the 241 persons charged 212 have been convicted, fourteen discharged, and the charges against fifteen have not yet been disposed of.

Mr. FRED HALL

Will the right hon. Gentleman state how many of the cases to which he refers come under the head of provocative action as defined by him recently?

Mr. McKENNA

I am unable to answer the question.

Mr. O'GRADY

May I ask whether the cases under the head of "drunken and disorderly conduct" arose out of provocative action so far as the strike is concerned?

Mr. McKENNA

I have only given the figures as supplied by the Metropolitan Police.

Mr. FRED HALL

That is the very question I asked in the last portion of my question. Is it in the circumstances necessary that I should ask it again?

Mr. McKENNA

The question is of such a kind that it is impossible for me or anybody else to answer it.

Captain CRAIG

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any employers have been prosecuted?

Mr. McKENNA

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put the question on the Paper, I will give him an answer.

Mr. W. THORNE

How many of these cases were caused by the action of the police?

Mr. McKENNA

I am not aware that any were so caused.