Source 55, Pg.5:  Written questionnaire (actions of the police towards suffragettes)

 

Description

Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was due to address a public meeting at St Andrew's Hall in Glasgow on 9 March 1914 as part of a Scottish tour. Mrs Pankhurst had recently been released from prison as part of the 'Cat and Mouse' Act, and the police intended to re-arrest her so that she could serve the rest of her sentence. Many of the women who attended the meeting complained about the behaviour of the police; witnesses said that they used unnecessary force to control the crowd.

A leading Scottish suffragette, Janie Allen, who attended the meeting campaigned tirelessly for an enquiry into police tactics. She contacted local magistrates, as well as local and national politicians. She wrote to other women who had attended the meeting and asked them to complete a written questionnaire relating to the incident. This source is an example of one of the completed responses.

Grace MacKinnon, who completed this questionnaire, taught Modern Languages in Glasgow schools from 1902 - 1928.

Completed questionnaire, Janie Allan Archive (Acc 4498)

Transcript

Did you see any women attack the police and if so, how?

No.

Did you see the police use their batons in self defence, and if so, what cause had they to do so?

No. Those I saw were used in the offensive.

Did you see any policeman with his baton drawn before he came on the platform?

Yes.

State whether you were injured, in which case a further list of questions may be sent you.

I was not injured.

Did you see resistance offered to police? If so, state by whom and describe nature of resistance.

I saw women apparently trying to block the way of the police.

Is it true that the police only drew and used their batons in self defence? Give reasons for answer.

No.

Did you see uniformed police strike any plain clothes men on platform? If so, describe incident.

No.

Give names and addresses of any persons whom you say assaulted.

Please give any other particulars.