Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there have been any and, if so, what instances in recent years in which troops have been used in connection with industrial disputes except for the reason that the police force available has been insufficient, and after disorder and violence have actually arisen?
§ Mr. McKENNADuring the past ten years and, I believe, during a much longer period, troops have never been used to aid the civil power unless the police force available was insufficient, and, with one exception, not until disorder and violence had actually occurred. The exception was the railway strike of 1911, when troops were moved as a precautionary measure to centres where they would be immediately available if disturbances should occur, and were employed to guard the railways in places where the police force was insufficient.