§ 63. Mr. J. HUDSONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on the evening of 10th May Mr. G. H. Taylor, of Rashcliffe, Huddersfield, was seriously injured in an attack made on him by a special constable, though Mr. Taylor was guilty of no offence, as his subsequent release after examination by the police indicated; and whether he will consider making to Mr. Taylor any compensatory or compassionate grant for the loss and injury he received?
§ The SECRETARY OF STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-HicksI have had a full report on this ease from which it appears that on 10th May a large and disorderly crowd was making a hostile demonstration against the volunteer omnibus drivers. Taylor was a member of the crowd and received injuries—not of a serious nature—in the course of a struggle in which a special constable was forcibly thrown to the ground and kicked. Taylor was not prosecuted as the chief constable thought his case would be met 21 by a caution. Taylor's claim has been considered by the Huddersfield Police Authority, who have repudiated liability. I tan find no ground for action on my part.
§ Mr. HUDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man Taylor was not a member of the crowd at all? He was struck by the special constable in his effort to get out of the crowd?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIf he was not a member of the crowd, I do not see how on earth he could have been assaulted. He must have been there.
§ Mr. HUDSONMy point is this: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he was not with the crowd at the time the attack was first made on them by the special constables? He was merely a passer-by in the street?
Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKI cannot say that he was there at the first moment, but that he was in the crowd when the special constable was knocked down and kicked is certain. If he had actually knocked the special constable down or kicked him, he would no doubt have been prosecuted. I do not suggest it; I suggest he was a member of the crowd.
§ Mr. HUDSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman insist that there is some evidence in being that this man had any part in the attack on the special constable?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo doubt had he actually knocked the special constable down he would have been prosecuted. In the general melee, after the special constable had been knocked down and kicked, this man was hit presumably with a truncheon.
§ Mr. HUDSONWhat ground was there for issuing a caution to this man?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think he was arrested, and it was a question whether the Chief Constable should prosecute him or not. He came to the conclusion that it would be sufficient if he cautioned him.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSHe was hurt, but not seriously.
§ Mr. DUNCANIs it not a fact that this particular man was there by appointment to meet another man? [Laughter.] I am serious, Mr. Speaker, in putting this question, because I think it is important. Is it not a fact that this man had an appointment with another man at this particular period, and that the crowd came to where this man was?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not see how the Home Secretary can possibly know whether or not the man had an appointment.
§ Mr. DUNCANBut, Mr. Speaker, this particular man—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]