§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, a few minutes after 10 p.m. on Wednesday night, a number of mounted policemen acted in a most unusual way in dispersing the people who had been attending a meeting at the corner of Beckton Road, Canning Town, in connection with the dock workers' dispute, and a number of people were injured; and if he is prepared to have an inquiry made into the matter at once?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am informed that about 4,000 persons had assembled in connection with the meeting to which the hon. Member refers. The police had reason to believe that a considerable proportion of those present were provided with stones and other missiles, and as the behaviour of the crowd towards the few police on duty was becoming very threatening, additional police were sent for. Shortly after 10 p.m., a small number of mounted police arrived, and the1064W crowd, on seeing them, stampeded up side streets. The mounted police were stoned near Hermit Road and again near Rathbone Street, but no police drew or used their truncheons, and the crowd eventually dispersed by 11.30 p.m. The police appear to have acted in a very forbearing manner under considerable provocation, and I see no need for further inquiry into the incident.
§ Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, on Tuesday evening, a number of men and women were marching in procession in connection with the dock workers' dispute in the Custom House district when about 40 policemen-made an attack upon the men and women; that a number of the men were knocked about by the police; and if he will have an inquiry made into the conduct of the police?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am informed that on the evening of the 24th instant, during a series of demonstrations near the Royal Albert and Victoria Docks, about 1,000 men broke away from the main body and proceeded to charge the cordon of police across Victoria Dock Road, apparently with the intention of entering the dock. Stones were thrown at the police, who were obliged to draw their truncheons to defend themselves. My information is that there were no women among the persons who attacked the police cordon, although there were women on the footways, and no complaints of injury to women have been received by the police. I see no reason for any inquiry into the action of the police, who appear to have done no more, than their duty.