§ COLONEL LOCKWOOD (Essex, Epping)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will name the civilised countries in which foreigners are allowed full liberty to collect information concerning accommodation, stores, &c, which might be useful in time of war.
§ MR. HALDANEI am not aware of any civilised country in which foreigners are allowed full liberty to collect information which might be useful in time of war.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOODPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will remember that in his Answer to a former Question he stated that in nearly all civilised countries with which he was acquainted this was allowed.
§ MR. HALDANENo; you can go about and sketch anywhere, except in fortresses and other places where there are restrictions.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOODI put my Question as plainly as I could, and the right hon. Gentleman told me——
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order.
§ COLONEL L0CKW00DI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he has any information concerning a staff ride through England organised by a Foreign Power.
§ MR. HALDANEThe reply is in the negative.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOODI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any official information or reports from chief constables in the Eastern Counties as to espionage in England by Foreign nations; and, if so, whether he attaches any importance to the information.
§ MR. HALDANEUnofficial reports have reached me with regard to the presence of supposed spies in various parts of England, and certain inquiries have been instituted. They do not, however, lead me to attach great importance to the matter, or suggest the necessity of immediate legislative action.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOODDo I understand that the right hon. Gentleman looks upon the system of espionage as but an amusing recreation on the part of foreign Powers?
§ MR. HALDANEI have not the slightest evidence that any foreign Power is sending spies here, and I have reason to think the contrary. That officers of all nations when abroad look about for useful information I have no doubt; but that is a different thing from coming as spies.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOODI may be able to extract some definite information from the right hon. Gentleman when his salary comes before the House for discussion.