§ 9. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the intimidation of workers by mass-picketing at the Ford motor works at Dagenham on 27th March and at the works of Briggs Bodies, Limited, at Dagenham on 30th March; and why the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act were not enforced?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the police on duty on the public roads in the neighbourhood of the Ford Works and at the works of Briggs Bodies saw no intimidation of persons desiring to work on the dates mentioned in the question. Police were present on both occasions for the purpose of preserving order and enforcing the law. The number of pickets allowed outside the works of Briggs Bodies was limited by police, but apart from that they found no ground for action under the Trade Disputes Act.
§ Sir A. KNOXHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the references in the Press which describes thousands of strike pickets who forced workers to alight from omnibuses?
§ Mr. LAWSONIs it not a fact that this dispute was settled very quickly and that the settlement reflected credit on all parties?
§ Mr. PIKECan the Minister say if intimidation is reported by any of the victims, to whom it is reported and what act ion is taken upon it?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI presume that if there is any complaint it is made to the police, who will properly make their report to me. I have no evidence that any complaint was made, and I prefer not to depend on newspaper reports.