§ Mr. TOUCHEasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the difficulties in the way of obtaining forage for horses in London owing to the dislocation of the carrying trade and to the obstacles placed in the way of those who are ready to work to prevent suffering and loss; and is he taking any steps of a special character to cope with the situation so created?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that forage contractors who applied to him received adequate protection for their vehicles transporting forage.
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§ Mr. CARR-GOMMasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government have decided to make use of the military forces of the Crown to intervene in the labour dispute in London; and, if so, whether he can state what new emergency has arisen to justify this step?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere can be no question of the military forces of the Crown "intervening in a labour dispute" in the proper sense of the words. That, so-far as it can be done by the Government, is a function of the Board of Trade. It is only when a trade dispute is accompanied by riot, intimidation, or other violations of the law, or when a serious interruption is caused or likely to be caused to the-supply of necessary commodities, that the military can be called on to support the police; and then their duty is to maintain the law, not to interfere in the matter in dispute.