§ 50. Mr. NIELDasked the Prime Minister whether representations have been received by him from the Anti-Socialist Union of the Churches calling his attention to the propaganda of an organisation calling itself the Union of Democratic Control, and to the carrying on of a campaign against recruiting for His Majesty's Forces and also for the purpose of stopping the War and compelling peace to be concluded upon terms favourable to the enemy belligerents; whether he is aware that such union and kindred organisations, 1162 including the Independent Labour Party, are holding over 200 meetings weekly with this object and issuing quantities of literature in which the attitude of the late and present Governments, as also the true facts relating to the origin of the War, are misrepresented in order to mislead and dupe the public; whether he will cause prompt and effective measures to be taken to put an end to this agitation and to prosecute those who take part in it; has he any information as to who is financing the movement; whether there is any reason to believe that the expenses of this organisation are being defrayed by Germany; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into these matters?
Mr. PONSONBYBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether he is aware that the Union of Democratic Control have repeatedly repudiated anti-recruiting and stop-the-war propaganda, and have made it known that any subscription from enemy aliens would on no account be accepted?
§ Sir E. CARSONNo, Sir, I am not aware of that. As to the question on the Paper, which the Prime Minister has asked me to answer: The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As to the second part of the question, the avowed object of the Union of Democratic Control is to "bring about such a settlement at the close of the War and such changes of procedure between nations as will lead to a permanent peace instead of to a period of renewed armaments." I am informed that meetings have been held by the union, though I have not been furnished with any reports of such meetings. The union has also distributed literature of the kind mentioned in the question, no doubt with a view to influencing the public. As regards the third paragraph of the question, I must refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister in reply to a question by the hon. Member for East Nottingham on the 15th July. I have no information as to who is financing the movement, except that subscriptions are paid by members.
§ Mr. NIELDWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman in the immediate future take steps to have persons representing the Government attending these meetings for the purpose of reporting them?
§ Sir E. CARSONIf the police can possibly attend them they will. But the hon. 1163 and learned Gentleman knows that it is not a very easy thing to know when and where these meetings are being held.
§ Sir E. CARSONIf the hon. and learned Gentleman will give me any information he has in his possession I shall be glad to have it.
Mr. PONSONBYMay I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether he is aware that the Union of Democratic Control have repeatedly denied that they have received any money from German sources, that they are quite willing that the list of subscribers should be examined by any duly authorised person selected by the Government, and that they will only be too glad to have the members of the police force attend their meetings?
Mr. CHANCELLORIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that some members, at any rate, of this union have taken a very active part in the recruiting campaign?
§ Mr. PRINGLEThe President of the Board of Education!
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman take steps, if the police, owing to their other duties, cannot attend these meetings, to enlist the services of volunteers whom he can trust to give him reliable reports? These seditious utterances are very frequently made, and there are meetings practically every night.
§ Sir E. CARSONI did not say that the police had not time to attend the meetings. If the police are aware of the meetings they will no doubt try to obtain information about them. If the hon. Gentleman has reports of meetings such as he refers to, and which I have not, I shall be very glad to consider them.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not a fact that a Member of the Cabinet only resigned from the union on his appointment to an office in the Cabinet?
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEBefore he takes any action will the right hon. and learned Gentleman consult his colleague, the President of the Board of Education, who was a member of this organisation before he joined the Cabinet?
§ Sir E. CARSONNo, Sir.