§ Sir W. SMITHERSasked the Home Secretary (1) how many extra police have been drafted into the Taff Merthyr colliery district; and is he satisfied that necessary steps are being taken to prevent the intimidation and terrorisation of men who wish to follow their occupation;
(2) whether his attention has been called to recent breaches of Section 3, paragraphs (1) and (2), of the Trades Disputes Act, 1927, in the vicinity of the Taff Merthyr colliery, Trelewis and district; is he aware that mass picketing has been taking place at the railway stations and on roads leading to this colliery; and will he call for a report from the chief constable on the matter?
505W
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have obtained a full report from the chief constable of Glamorgan, and have communicated to him the information furnished to me by my hon. Friend. I am informed that the chief constable found it necessary to draft a number of extra police into the Taff Merthyr colliery district and that a number of proceedings were taken for breaches of the law. I am satisfied that all necessary and proper steps have been taken by the chief constable for dealing with the situation.