39. Mr. MACDONALDasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to allegations that he has been put in possession of proof that various organisations called pacifists and some of their leaders have been working inspired by money supplied from enemy sources; whether he is now, in co-operation with the War Office, having the premises of these organisations raided and their books and correspondence examined; and whether he proposes to make any statement on the subject at an early date, so that the public may know the results of his researches?
§ 41. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the premises of the National Council for Civil Liberties were raided on 21st November; whether it is an offence to defend civil and industrial liberties; and, if not, why and by whom this raid was made?
§ Mr. BRACEI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which the Home Secretary gave yesterday to a question on this subject put by the hon. Member for the Cricklade Division.
§ Mr. ANDERSONWhat was the reply?
§ Mr. BRACEThe reply given yesterday was:
These premises were raided because it was suspected that they were being used for carrying on a propaganda in the interests of the enemy."—[OFFICIAL. REPORT. 26th November. 1917, col. 1628.]
§ Mr. ANDERSONIs the right hon. Member aware that 1,250 organisations are affiliated to this council, and that 19 of them are national trade unions, 170 are trade councils, and 600 are trade union branches, including some branches of his own association; and does he 1823 suggest that those are all working either directly or indirectly in the interests of the enemy?
§ Mr. BRACEThe hon. Member is making a mistake if he thinks I suggested anything of the kind, but I would not be at all surprised if some members even of my own organisation have been guilty of helping the enemy.