HC Deb 19 November 1917 vol 99 cc860-1
69. Mr. ARNOLD

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the police raided after dark on 14th November the premises of 4, Duke Street, Adelphi, which are occupied by a trades union official for his work; why did the police wait till the office was empty, then break open his drawer, take his private cheque book, stamps, and a manuscript on an historical subject; and whether literary matter then seized which has no reference to the War will be returned to the owner?

Sir G. CAVE

The offices of the No-Conscription Fellowship at 4, Duke Street, Adelphi, were searched on the 14th November, on a warrant issued by the competent military authority, under No. 51 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The visit was made in the evening, not from choice but from pressure of work. It is not true that a draw was broken open or that any stamps were taken away. The drawer in question was found unlocked. The manuscript referred to has been returned to its owner.

Mr. ARNOLD

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries into this matter to see whether the historical manuscript referred to in the question has already been returned?

Sir G. CAVE

I see no reason to doubt it.

Mr. KING

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware I have seen the drawer, which has been broken open?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

How is it that since the Home Secretary came into office there has been such a great increase in the number of prosecutions without a corresponding increase in the number of prosecutions? Does not that show that the right hon. Gentleman is indiscriminately raiding a number of perfectly innocent organizations?

Sir G. CAVE

I do not think so. The number of these leaflets which infringe the Defence of the Realm Regulations has unfortunately increased, and it has been necessary to make these searches in order to find out.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Is it not a fact that the question of the legality or illegality of the leaflets has never been decided in the Law Courts?

Sir G. CAVE

In many cases the legality has been tested by a prosecution, and if in any case there is any question as to the legality of our action, that question can be tested by those aggrieved bringing an action in the Courts.