§ 49. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the charges made in respect of the activities in the munition areas of a man calling himself Alexander Gordon, whose evidence as a Government agent was used in a public trial; whether he is aware of the allegations that this man has urged strikes among munition workers, and has suggested the stealing of fuses and the setting up of a secret printing press; whether the man Gordon is still in this country or whether he has recently been sent to America; and whether he will cause public investigation to be made into the activities of this man, and will cause him to be produced at such investigation?
§ The ATTORNEY- GENERAL (Sir Frederick Smith)My attention has been drawn to the allegations contained in the question and previously stated as matters of fact by the hon. Gentleman himself in the House. There is no foundation whatever for the suggestion made. The man known as Alexander Gordon has not been employed by the Government since January of the present year. His present whereabouts are unknown, and no investigation is necessary or is proposed.
§ Mr. ANDERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these grave charges are vouched for by workmen in Manchester, Leicester, Derby, Coventry, 588 Sheffield, and Liverpool; and is he also aware that they have been discussed at a labour conference in Birmingham and that a number of men are prepared to come forward and give evidence in regard to the men who are advocating strikes, violence, sabotage—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of the question. It raises a series of allegations.
§ Mr. ANDERSONMay I ask if I can have an opportunity in this House of bringing forward evidence in my possession dealing with this matter?
§ Sir F. SMITHThe hon. Member has asked whether I am aware of a great number of things of which it is quite evident I could not be aware. Either my hon. Friend or some of his hon. Friends have purported to supply to one of my right hon. colleagues a statement. That statement may have been complete or incomplete. If it is incomplete and requires to be supplemented I should be glad to consider any supplement put before me. I carefully considered the evidence put before my right hon. Friend a fortnight or three weeks ago and I may tell my hon. Friend that I was wholly unimpressed by it, but if he has any further evidence he will find me prepared to consider it.
§ Mr. ANDERSONTo what evidence does the right hon. and learned Gentleman refer? Does he refer to my speech in this House?
§ Sir F. SMITHNo; that is not evidence. I refer to a statement containing allegations purporting to be made by four or five—I forget the precise number— working men with reference to this man Gordon. I investigated the statement, dates and places, I investigated the records of the men who were purported to have made those statements and on that evidence I was unconvinced; but if the hon. Member has fresh evidence he will find me perfectly ready to consider it with candour and openness.
§ Mr. WHYTEWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is in existence a Secret Service Department in connection with the Ministry of Munitions and whether that Department has ever been used for any other purpose except that of detecting bonâ fide enemy influence in the different munition areas?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI understand that now there is no such Department and there has not been for a good many months.