§ Mr. S. ROBINSON(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he was aware that attempts were being made by irresponsible persons to bring about a complete stoppage of all work in Liverpool?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)No material change in the position in Liverpool has taken place, and no more police have joined the strikers. One or two attempts at looting were made last night, but were immediately suppressed. There are threats of other strikes which would affect the essential needs of the community. I am well aware that certain persons are attempting to bring about a complete stoppage of work, without any thought of the suffering involved, and to hand over the city to the mercies of the criminal classes. They are far from being irresponsible persons. Fortunately, up to the present they have failed, and the Government have every confidence that the authorities in Liverpool will take every step, however severe, to preserve law and order. To prevent such unwarrantable ani3 sinister attacks, the Government are prepared to render every assistance to the Liverpool authorities.
§ Mr. SEXTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that for five days previous to yesterday, in open daylight, wholesale looting was going on, handcarts were brought up, hammers were used to break windows, and goods were taken away and strewed all over the streets, without anybody interfering with the looters? Are the forces at the command of the Government unable to prevent that kind of thing being continued?
§ Mr. SHORTTI do not think it is quits correct to say that no one interfered. The mob did get control for a considerable time, but as quickly as possible the military were sent up to the assistance of the local authorities. A battleship and two destroyers are there to render assistance, and every further step that is necessary will be taken to conquer the mob and to bring peace about again.
§ Mr. SEXTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that previous to that the streets of the city were occupied by men with deliberately lawless objects without any interference from anybody at all?
§ Mr. SHORTTInterference did take place as soon as possible. I am quite well aware that the people at the back of this got hold of the criminal classes—the worst classes—and brought them to their assistance, but every step has Been taken to restore law and order.
§ Mr. SHORTTI am told there were such attempts, but they were fortunately defeated.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the vast majority of law-abiding citizens in this country expect the Government to arrest the fomenters of this agitation?
§ Mr. SHORTTI do not suppose they expect the Government to arrest anyone who has not broken the letter of the law.