20. Sir F. HALLasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the speech delivered by a Mr. Robert Williams in Hyde Park, on the 30th March, at a labour demonstration in which the speaker advocated the adoption of Bolshevism in this country; if open advocacy of a system of government which has been accompanied by such notorious atrocities as has been the case in Russia constitutes an offence which can be punished under the existing law; and, if so, if it is proposed to take proceedings against this person.?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have seen brief notices in the newspapers of the speech in question, but they do not contain anything to indicate that the speaker was guilty of any offence against the law.
Sir F. HALLDo the Government intend to take steps to put down these unnecessary inflammatory speeches that have been made rather commonly lately?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe proper officials see to the prosecution of speakers who break the law, but a man who does nothing criminal cannot be prosecuted.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERHas the right hon. Gentleman asked the Law Officers to advise him?
§ Mr. SHORTTIt has been before the proper officials who consider these things. I do not know that the Law Officers have been consulted.