§ 1. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons who were arrested in Dundee as a result of the May Day demonstration; if any of the persons were women; and what is the nature of the charge against them?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Archibald Sinclair)Eighteen men and three women were arrested in Dundee in connection with disturbances arising out of demonstrations on 1st May. The charges were as follow:
Eight men were charged with breach of the orders of the magistrates by forming part of a public procession; two of these were also charged with attempting to rescue prisoners and one with assaulting the police.
Two women were charged with attempting to rescue prisoners.
Ten men and one woman were charged with assaulting the police in the execution of their duty.
1693 All the cases, with the exception of two men and two women, have now been dealt with by the courts.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs it true that, while a breach of the magistrates' decision did take place, the police ruthlessly batoned the people down without any warning or request to clear the streets?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRNo, Sir; I have no information to that effect.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the right hon. Gentleman see that these people in Dundee are as leniently treated as those who were charged in the silk case?
§ Miss HORSBRUGHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he thinks that this feeling did not originate before the May Day protests, particularly when the ban on the processions was modified, and the officials of the Labour party had to call in the police to protect their speaker, a former Member of this House, and to clear the Caird Hall on that occasion, that being, I think I am right in saying, the first occasion this year—[Interruption]—on which a clash took place between the citizens and the police?