§ 36. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Secretary of State for War whether Mr. Bertrand Russell has been prohibited by military decree from entering any prohibited area, the effect of which is to prevent Mr. Russell delivering a series of lectures arranged in several cities; and, if so, whether he will consider allowing 539 Mr. Russell to deliver a course of lectures and subsequently prosecute him if he has said anything dangerous to the public safety, instead of suppressing his free expression of opinion on political and social matters?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEAn Order under No. 14 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations was made by a competent military authority on 31st August, 1916, forbidding the Hon. Bertrand Russell to enter any prohibited area. This Order would have the effect of preventing Mr. Russell from lecturing in cities within the prohibited areas. The Army Council has offered to modify this Order so as to permit him to deliver the proposed lectures if Mr. Russell will give an honourable undertaking to abstain from using them as a vehicle for propaganda that contravenes the Defence of the Realm Regulations, but, as Mr. Russell declines to give any such undertaking, no modification of the Order is thought desirable. Prevention is better than prosecution.
§ Mr. TREVELYANMay I ask what is the nature of the propaganda which is supposed to contravene the Regulations?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEWe had information from a very reliable source that Mr. Bertrand Russell was about to engage in the delivery of a series of lectures which would interfere very seriously with the manning of the Army.
§ Mr. TREVELYANHas the right hon. Gentleman seen a printed copy of the first of the lectures, and does he think that there is anything in it in the least dangerous?
§ Mr. PRINGLECan my right hon. Friend say why it is in the public interest that these lectures should be delivered in Manchester and not in Glasgow? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"]
§ Mr. JOWETTHe cannot!"
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has taken this action because the lecture is entitled "Political Ideals," and he regards it as a reflection upon himself?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI do not in the least care what the lectures are called, but they undoubtedly interfere with the prosecution of the War in this country and lead to weakness, inefficiency, and, if 540 tolerated, would hamper us in the prosecution of the War. It would be unpardonable weakness on our part if we allowed it.
§ Mr. MORRELLCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether he has read the synopsis of these lectures or has taken any steps to acquaint himself with the subject-matter?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEIf there is no harm in these lectures, why does not Mr. Bertrand Russell give the undertaking?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is degenerating into a debate.