§ 39. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, seeing that Mr. Zangwill's play, "The Melting Pot," was forbidden to be staged in this country on the ground that it might offend the pro-German bureaucracy of Russia, which has since been swept away by the revolution, and seeing that the play would be heartily approved both by the present Government and people of Russia, he will take steps to see that the play be permitted to appear on the stage and on the films; and whether the prohibited chapter of Mr. Zangwill's book," The War for the World, "entitled the" Story of the Steam Roller, "which predicted that the pro-German intrigues of the Russian bureaucracy would bring about a popular revolution, be now permitted to be restored to the book?
§ Mr. BRACEAs regards" The Melting Pot, "I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to a question by him on the 16th June, 1915. The play was not prohibited, but a request was made that, for reasons which had force at that time, another play should be substituted for it. These reasons no longer exist, and there is no objection to the production of the play. A film of this play may be shown at cinematograph halls' if the local licensing authorities do not object. The book called "The War for the World" does not appear to have been censored, but I understand that the chapter referred to was a reproduction of an article sent to a newspaper, to which objection had been taken by the Press Bureau. If this is the ease, it is open to the newspaper or the author to re-submit the article for consideration.
§ Mr. ANDERSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the circumstances in Russia have entirely changed since that time, and can he say that in regard to this article that if it is now submitted the cir- 2222 cumstances, being what they are, there is likely to be more favourable consideration given to it than before?