§ 38. Mr. LAWSONasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the difference of opinion as to who were responsible for the trouble which arose in Whitehall on the 18th October in connection with the demonstration of unemployed, he proposes to institute an Inquiry into the whole of the circumstances?
Sir J. BAIRDMy right hon. Friend has gone fully into the circumstances, and is satisfied that the outbreak was caused by a disorderly crowd which had gathered in the vicinity of the procession but did not form part of it, and that the police were in no way to blame.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. Baronet aware that there are a considerable number of people outside—responsible people —who question that decision, and does he not think, in view of the fact that this is the second incident of the kind within the last few months, that it is wise to investigate the cause of such disturbances, in order that steps may be taken to avoid such scenes as happened recently?
Sir J. BAIRDI do not think that any further investigation is called for. A very full report was made on the subject, and my right hon. Friend was quite satisfied 188 that the police did their duty; and, as I have stated, the disorders arose, not from those who were taking part in the procession, but from a totally different let of people altogether.
§ Mr. LAWSONMay I ask upon what evidence the report concerning this question was based?
Sir J. BAIRDThe evidence of the officers who furnished the report. My right hon. Friend is entirely responsible for the attitude and action of those officers, and he assumed complete responsibility for it in this case as in all others.
§ Mr. LAWSONIn order to know the true cause, is it not necessary to know both sides of the situation, and are there not people who hold quite a different opinion from the finding of the Home Office?
Sir J. BAIRDI am afraid that there will always be two opinions upon every thing. We have to go by the reports of the responsible officers, and I do not think that there is any chance of the case being re-opened.
§ Mr. J. JONESWill it be arranged in future that the officers in charge of the various districts of the Metropolitan Police will be left in charge of their own contingents, and not someone who is a stranger to the people who have to control the crowd, seeing that men who know the people are able to deal with them better?
Sir J. BAIRDI do not think that that point arises. There was nothing abnormal in the treatment of the crowd on this occasion.
§ Mr. JONESIs it not a fact that the charge has been made against the police authorities that it was owing to the change of control that the trouble occurred?
Sir J. BAIRDThere was a charge that the police had ordered the procession to move on, but that charge has been disproved. The order for the procession to move on was given by the representative of the organisers of the Workers' Union, who was in charge of the procession.
Viscount CURZONCan the hon. Baronet give an assurance that, as far as possible, due warning will be given to a large crowd or collection of people, possibly including women, before mounted police are employed?
Sir J. BAIRDEverything possible was done, but when a situation such as this arises the police have to do the best they can.
§ Mr. DEVLINWould it not be better for the hon. Gentleman to copy the Chief Secretary for Ireland and deny everything?