§ 28. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Home Secretary whether he has now made investigation into the circumstances in which the police at Richmond, Yorkshire, entered the shops of newsagents and demanded the names and addresses of all subscribers to the "Herald" newspaper; whether he will state the warrant for such an inquiry in connection with a periodical which has not been made the subject of prosecution or conviction for any offence; in view of the fact that the reading of periodicals of any character whatever is not a criminal offence and does not even afford evidence of the holding of opinions identical with those expressed in the periodical, whether he can explain the object of such procedure and by whose instructions it was undertaken; and whether it has been or will be pursued in other places?
§ Sir G. CAVEI have received a report on this subject, and I find that a copy of the paper in question containing certain seditious statements having been shown by a civilian to a soldier on duty, the local 592 police, at the request of the Assistant Provost-Marshal, made inquiries at a shop and at the railway bookstall. The inquiries were properly made and were not of the nature described in the question, and I are satisfied that the police did not exceed their duty.
§ Mr. ANDERSONWhat inquiries did the police make?
§ Sir G. CAVEI am sure that they made inquiries from the newsagents who have this paper for sale.
§ Mr. HOGGEAs it is a matter of common knowledge that great numbers of Members of this House subscribe to this paper, would my hon. Friend think it wise to inquire as to their names and addresses?
§ Sir G. CAVEI think that I could guess them.