§ Mr. TOOLE(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a, serious disturbance of the peace took place in Salford yesterday between the police and an unemployed demonstration, whether he has any statement to make on the matter, and whether in view of the present national situation and the necessity for avoiding conflicts of this character in this and other parts of the country, he 'will cause inquiry to be made?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Oliver Stanley)As my right hon. Friend explained during the Debate on the Adjournment on the 24th September last, in the county and borough police forces outside London, the local police authorities are primarily responsible for the maintenance of law and order. He has, however, already taken steps to ascertain the facts and will certainly consider whether there is any action, either of a particular or of a general character, which he could usefully and properly take.
§ Mr. TOOLECan the Under-Secretary give me any idea when, I shall be able to get the information from the Home Secretary?
§ Mr. STANLEYAs I have stated, my right hon. Friend is making inquiries as to the facts of last night's disturbance, and the hon. Member will realise that it will take some time for a reliable statement to be made.
§ Mr. MAXTON(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is able to give the House an account of the serious disturbances in Glasgow last night?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Major Sir Archibald Sinclair)My information is that disturbances took place in Jail Square, Salt Market, Steel Street, Greendyke Street, Glasgow Green, London Road, and Hudson Street.
697 A crowd of about 50,000 met at the places mentioned at 8 o'clock last night. Many of the crowd were armed with iron bars and batons. Windows were broken and the traffic was completely disorganised. There was no organised baton charge, but certain constables had to defend themselves when they were attacked. Three constables and four civilians were injured; others received minor injuries. Twelve persons were apprehended.
§ Mr. MAXTONArising out of the answer, and also the answer given on behalf of the Home Secretary to the previous question, I want to ask the Government whether they are going to take no cognisance of the causes of these disturbances, or are they going to content themselves with measures of repression?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRNo measures of repression are being undertaken in Scotland or in any other part of the country. The only measures taken last night in Glasgow were those taken by the magistrates to preserve the public right of passage through the streets.
§ Mr. STEPHENWill the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that there will be no obstructions put in the way of His Majesty's subjects engaged in demonstrations as long as the demonstrations are carried on peacefully?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRHis Majesty's civil subjects certainly have the right of free speech and demonstration, hut the public have the right of passage through the streets, and this fundamental right of passage through the streets has to be safeguarded by the magistrates, who are the police authority and responsible for maintaining that right.
§ Mr. STEPHENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the previous week there was a demonstration of similar numbers in Glasgow without complaint, peacefully carried through, and is it; not the ease—
§ Major COLFOXCan the Secretary of State give us any information as to the report that there was organised looting last night in Glasgow?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members must accept the reply given by the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. GEORGE HARDIEIn some of the newspapers this morning an observer describes what took place. The demonstration was passing down Salt Market. [HON. MEMBERS "Speech!"] I want to know whether the Secretary of State has seen this report of an observer; if so, he would know that it was after the bulk of the demonstrators had gone inside the gates that the police made a rush.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODArising from the original reply, in which the Secretary of State said that there was no organised attempt by the police against the demonstrators, I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has not had this information, that there were 12 mounted police ready to charge the demonstrators, and that, failing that, there was a special contingent, of police who had been organised, because we have now a new Chief Constable in Glasgow—
§ Mr. MAXTONYou want force. You do not want to discuss a serious question. There is to be no free speech here either.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not the time to discuss this matter. Hon. Members had better wait until full information has been obtained by the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWith all due respect, Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the Secretary of State if he will do what he possibly can to change the demeanour of those in authority in Glasgow towards these poor people, who are right up against it and who are driven by starvation to do things which they would not otherwise do. If something is not done, we will all go down to Glasgow and defy law and order, and you will get a chance of putting every one of us into gaol. If we are, we shall not be satisfied because you will have to take our lives or we will take yours. [interruption.] That is my challenge to you. You can do anything you like. You can fling me out of here this morning, but we are not going to stand by and see our people battered and not, be allowed to raise the matter here.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not want to make matters worse by dealing severely with the hon. Member.