§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a baton charge by police at West Bromwich, on Monday, 23rd January; and whether he will have the fullest inquiries made into the whole, circumstances?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have received a report of this incident from the Chief Constable of Staffordshire. It appears that on the622W day fixed for the trial at West Bromwich of five leaders of the unemployed on charges under the Trades Disputes Act, a large crowd assembled in the High Street near the Court, and held up a passing tramcar. A police inspector who was attempting to persuade them to desist was assaulted. One man had to he arrested, and as the crowd became threatening a few of the police in the vicinity found it necessary to draw their batons and hold off the crowd. I find no reason to think that any unnecessary force was used, and no further inquiry appears to be called for.