§ 9. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Socialist party, an organisation with a membership of less than 5,000, has applied for passports for three more delegates to attend the proposed Conference at Stockholm; whether at the last annual conference of the Labour party, held in Manchester in January, 1917, a resolution moved by the Independent Labour party delegates in favour of holding an international Socialist congress was defeated, 696,000 voting for and 1,498,000 against; that at the same conference a resolution moved by delegates of the British Socialist party in favour of the Government entering into immediate peace negotiations was defeated, 302,000 voting for and 1,697,000 against; that at the same conference a resolution was moved by the hon. Member for South-West Ham that the fight should continue until victory is achieved, and that this was carried, 1,036,000 voting for and 664,000 against; and whether, before granting passports to the delegates of these Socialist organisations, he will ascertain if it is their intention to go in support of the decisions arrived at by the annual conference of the Labour party?
Mr. BALFOURI understand that the facts are as stated in the question, though the Foreign Office has no special sources of information on the subject. No passports have been granted, so far as I know, to any members of the British Socialist party to attend the proposed Conference at Stockholm.