§ 98. Brigadier-General COLVINasked the Home Secretary whether, in the event of the threat of the Workers' Union to call a strike of agricultural labourers of their union in order to obtain a minimum wage of 50s. per week and reduced hours of work, protection from intimidation by pickets and other agents will be afforded to those labourers who are content to abide by the awards of the Agricultural Wages Board, and persons trespassing on land for the purpose of creating a strike will be summarily dealt with?
§ Mr. SHORTTIn the event of such a strike, it would be the duty of the police to afford all the protection within their power against violence and intimidation, but it is not part of their functions to deal with trespassers who are not guilty 2380 of violence or disorder and commit no criminal offence.
§ Mr. RAFFANThe question asks whether the right hon. Gentleman will prohibit picketing, and is not peaceful picketing perfectly legal?
§ Mr. SHORTTWhat I said was protection against violence and intimidation.