61. Mr. T. WILSONasked whether the office of the chairman of the Fawcett Association Trade Union was raided by the police in his absence last Wednesday evening, and Mr. Ammon's private cheque book, some loose postage stamps, and the minute book of the Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Trades Council, also a manuscript dealing with postal history, stolen; and if he will state what purpose it is thought will be served by acting towards trade union officials and trade unionists in such a manner?
§ 62. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the office of the chairman of the Fawcett Association Trade Union was in his absence raided by police officers last Wednesday, and that 1008 they removed his private cheque book, a number of postage stamps, the minute book of the Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Trades Council, also a manuscript dealing with postal history; if he can state for what reason these things were removed; and whether they have been returned?
§ Sir G. CAVEActing on a warrant issued by the Competent Military Authority, under Section 51 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, the police visited No. 4, Duke Street, Adelphi, the offices of the No-Conscription Fellowship, on the 14th November. Certain documents were removed, among which were the minute-book and manuscript referred to, but no stamps. The minute-book and manuscript, which were removed in error among a mass of other documents, have been returned to the office. It is misleading to refer to this raid as having been made on a trade union official. The raid had nothing to do with the Fawcett Association (whose offices are at 55, Doughty Street), or with any other trade union, and was concerned with the No-Conscription Fellowship only.
§ Mr. ANDERSONWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the book with the list of the trade union delegates to Rotherhithe and Bermondsey Trades Council, the file of trade union correspondence, and the Income Tax assessment paper belonging to this official, are returned? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, despite all denials, the drawer was broken open and postage stamps were taken away, and have not been returned?
§ Sir G. CAVEI will see that anything belonging to the trade union which has not been already returned shall be returned. In reply to the latter part of the question, I can only speak from my information which conflicts with that with which the hon. Gentleman has been supplied.