51. Captain TERRELLasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the occupation of public buildings by small bodies of unemployed; and whether, in the interest of order and the conservation to the public of the proper use of these structures, he will instruct the authorities to see that these premises are at once vacated when so invaded?
§ Mr. SHORTTMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The matter is not one in which the Government has any power to instruct local authorities; but I have no doubt local authorities will be careful to protect public rights while doing their best to deal gently with men who are suffering from the present increase of unemployment.