HC Deb 26 June 1924 vol 175 cc562-4
15. Marquess of TITCHFIELD

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the specific acts of cruelty charged against the officials of the Rodeo at Wembley in respect of which the police are applying for summonses?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

While the cases are pending I cannot make any statement but can only refer the Noble Lord to Press reports.

Marquess of TITCHFIELD

Did not the right hon. Gentleman, in answering a question the other day, say that there had been no warrants taken out against the cowboys, yet I see in the paper yesterday that three or four of these gallant men have had summonses issued against them?

Mr. HENDERSON

I am afraid the memory of the noble Lord is at fault. I did not say that no summonses had been taken out. What I said was that it had been suggested that I had the power to take them out, but that I said that I wished to proceed against somebody higher than the cowboys.

23. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Home Secretary what is the position with regard to the bullock-roping and bullock-wrestling competitions at Wembley; whether he is aware that last week a large number of police who attended the Stadium in the morning under his orders either to witness or prevent the competitions were turned out of the premises: and what action he proposes to take?

Mr. HENDERSON

Steer-roping as previously carried out has been discontinued, but I understand that the exhibition authorities have given sanction to a modified form of steer-roping, named the "break away," which was introduced yesterday for the first time. I am informed that in this form of contest the steer is not thrown, as the rope which is thrown round his horns is attached to the sadde by a piece of string which breaks as soon as pressure is brought to bear and the steer goes free. Steer-wrestling has not been discontinued. No attempt was made to interfere with the police in the execution of their duty on the occasion referred to, and the, last part of the question therefore does not arise.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is it a fact that the police were turned out last week to the number of between 100 and 150 as stated in the papers?

Mr. HENDERSON

I thought I had answered that point.

Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

Would the right hon. Gentleman think of applying the same method to the patient oxen." [HON. MEMBERS: "Chestnut!"]