§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he would give the names of any persons who were alleged to entertain a suspicion that David Davies, generally known as the, Dartmoor shepherd, had been enticed away for political purposes; and what, if any, were the grounds of such suspicion?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt would be obviously undesirable for me to make any statement on this subject. I have no doubt the facts, whatever they may be, will ultimately come to light.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYHas the right hon. Gentleman any ground whatever for saying that there was a suspicion that this man had been enticed away for political purposes?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI told the House the other day that it was reported to me that there was a strong suspicion in certain quarters that this man had been enticed away for political purposes. The actual expression used was "political dodge." That was the statement I made, and I have nothing to add to it.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman in future abstain from suggesting that anonymous persons entertain unfounded suspicions?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThey may be anonymous persons, but that their suspicions are unfounded I am unable to prove.