31. Captain CRAIGasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of cases of provocative action as defined by him in relation to the case of Messrs. Houlder Brothers committed by employers of labour during the recent Port of London strike considered likely to lead to a breach of the peace; and how many prosecutions were instituted by his authority, and the result?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)I have not attempted to give any definition of provocative action; it is a matter which must obviously depend on a great variety of circumstances. I am not aware of any criminal offence involved which could be made the subject of prosecution.
Captain CRAIGCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House why, if 1831 Messrs. Houlder Brothers were guilty of provocative action, he did not take action against them?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have stated that there was no criminal offence involved which could be made the subject of a prosecution.
Captain CRAIGThen why did you charge them with provocative action likely to lead to a breach of the peace?
§ Mr. McKENNAA person may be guilty of provocative action without being guilty of a criminal offence.
Captain CRAIGDid not the right hon. Gentleman state in this House that the provocative action in this case was likely to lead to a breach of the peace, and is not that a crime in a sense?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir.