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Hansard on Battle of Tilbury
Hansard 4 November 1913

§ Mr. W. THORNE
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that recruitment to the Civilian Force is now based on a pledge not to be a union member and that the so-called Commander of the Force is a former army officer, cashiered for unacceptable failures of command during the Transport Strike in Liverpool in 1911?
§ Mr. McKENNA
I would refer the hon. Member to previous answers to similar questions. The Civilian Force is a private organisation, over which I have no control, and as to whose numbers and membership I have no information.
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD
Has the Home Secretary any comment on yesterdays events in Tilbury, where an unarmed man was shot down by a member of a uniformed private Militia? What steps will be taken against the perpetrator of this killing?
§ Mr. MACDONALD
Is it not time that he did have such information and that he took steps to control these thugs? Men are being punished already simply for being trade union members. Are they now to be shot dead on the street for it?
§ Mr. McKENNA
The investigation of deaths in such circumstances is a matter for the relevant Police Force and it would be invidious on my part to comment.
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD
We have seen such deaths before, in Belfast and elsewhere in Ireland, at the hands of the Ulster Volunteer Force, brought into being by a member of this House and yet no action has ever been taken. Are we to see such a cavalier disregard for the law in England too?
§ Mr. O'GRADY
Concerns that an event such as this might occur have been raised with the right honourable member on many occasions and he has dismissed them as hypothetical. It has now happened, in even worse manner than was predicted. Will the right honourable Member now accept responsibility for his past failures?
§ Mr. McKENNA
I repeat, such investigations are a matter for the relevant Police Force.
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD
How long will the right honourable Member hide behind such statements? He must accept responsibilty and take action, or resign.
§ Mr. W. THORNE
Has the right hon. Gentleman any objection to an organisation of labour forces in a similar way, to be armed with similar weapons?
§ Mr. McKENNA
The hon. Gentleman will see the perils and dangers anybody must run who attempts to enrol an organisation of this sort. If there is any breach of the law then the police authorities are only too resolute to put a stop to any such breach.
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD
I will raise the whole question on the Adjournment.
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