§ 33. Mr. WATTasked the Lord Advocate whether it was under his instructions that the premises and business of the Socialist Labour Press in Glasgow was closed down in August last; if so, will he say what was the reason for such action; was it that they had printed as ordinary trade work certain periodicals, called "The Young Rebel" and "The Revolution," which did not meet with the approval of his Department; is he aware that the author of the former was punished with one month's imprisonment in the second division, while the prosecution of the author of the latter was dropped; and whether, seeing that the printer, who was given no warning to desist printing such matter, had his machinery dismantled and his business permanently closed without trial when the actual authors of the periodicals were by authorised Courts given only temporary inconvenience, he will take any steps to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Mr. MUNROCertain plant and material were seized by the police, on the instructions of my right hon. Friend, about the date mentioned, at the premises of the Socialist Labour Press, under the powers of, and for the reasons indicated in, Regulation 51 of the Regulations for the Defence of the Realm. With regard to the remaining portions of the question, I refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer given by me to the hon. Member for Somerset on 29th October last.
§ Mr. SNOWDENAre these people to be permanently prevented from resuming their business; if so, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Home Secretary, who has had a great deal more experience than the right hon. Gentleman in dealing with cases of this sort, and ask him what steps he has taken in similar circumstances?
§ Mr. MUNROIn answering a question put to me the other day—I do not think the hon. Member was present—I said that if the names of these persons were given to me I would reconsider the matter.