HC Deb 07 May 1935 vol 301 cc784-5
1. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will call for a report on the conduct of the local police during a recent strike conducted by the National Union of Distributive and Allied Workers at the Richmond Park Laundry, near Glasgow; and will he take note of the fact that the police decided that no picketing was to take place by the strikers within one mile of the laundry, that this decision was later changed without notice to the people concerned, and a baton charge was made by the police near this laundry because of that misunderstanding?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)

I have obtained a report on the strike which occurred at the laundry referred to during the first fortnight in March. I am informed that no arrangement was made between the police and the strikers about the distance from the laundry at which picketing was to take place, and that the occasion when the police used their batons was not due to any misunderstanding on this point.

Mr. DAVIES

In view of the very serious situation which arose consequent upon this strike, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to inquire whether the police were entitled, under the law of the land, to declare that no picketing should be allowed within a mile of the laundry in question; and is he actually satisfied with the report that he has received on this matter?

Sir G. COLLINS

Oh, yes, I am absolutely satisfied that the chief constable has supplied me with all the relevant facts, and, as the hon. Member knows, I am not responsible for the conduct of the police. They have the duty of preserving order, and if any complaint is made in Scotland it should be made to the procurator fiscal.

Mr. DAVIES

Is the right hon. Gentleman merely to get the statement of the police in question when they have batoned some innocent people, and injured and bruised them?

Sir G. COLLINS

I am afraid that I cannot allow that to pass. There is nothing in my report to make me think that they have batoned innocent people. Three men were tried. Two pleaded guilty, and the other pleaded not guilty, and the proceedings against him were dropped.

Mr. DAVIES

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the first supplementary question which I put? Is he satisfied that the police are entitled to lay down the rule that men shall not picket within a mile of the place where the dispute is taking place?

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that peaceful picketing is still legal? Is he further aware that there have been general complaints against the administration of the police of this district; and will he not go for his reports to the person who is indicted, but seek to have a neutral inquiry into the position and a report thereon?

Sir G. COLLINS

No, Sir, I am afraid that I am not prepared to dispute or question the accuracy of the information given to me in this case, or in any other case unless I have special reasons for doubting it. In reply to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies), I have no exact information as to the particular point, and I should require notice of the specific supplementary question. I have a note about several others, but on that particular point I have no information.

Mr. DAVIES

May I point out to the right hon. Gentleman that that specific point is contained in my question?