HC Deb 19 December 1921 vol 149 cc392-4
20. Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what amount the cost of the special Department of Scotland Yard, drawn either from the Secret Service or any other Vote, is to be reduced in the next financial year; and precisely what modifications in the work of the Department are to be made, particularly whether its political character is to be abandoned?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)

The arrangements for the re-organisation of the Department are not yet complete, and I am unable to say what precise modifications will be finally adopted or by what amount, if any, the cost will be reduced.

Captain BENN

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question, as to whether the political character of this Department is to be abandoned?

Mr. SHORTT

I answered that on Friday. It is not to be abandoned.

21. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a recent case before His Majesty's Courts in which evidence was given to the effect that the Duke of Northumberland, M.V.O., had been given access to documents in Scotland Yard and to other information collected by the secret police for the purpose of writing newspaper articles; whether this was done with his permission; for what object was such permission given; and whether other contributors to the public Press will be granted similar privileges?

Mr. SH0RTT

I gave no permission in this case, and have no knowledge of the matter beyond what appeared in the newspaper reports, but I do not gather from those reports that any information was given that should not have been given, or that any information was given to the Duke that was not available for other Press contributors.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Since I put the question on the Paper, has not the right hon. Gentleman looked into the matter a little more closely and made further inquiries? Does he think it is proper for any individual to be able to go to a nominal Government Department and see these secret documents?

Mr. SHORTT

There is no question of "nominal" in this matter; the Department is under the Home Office. There was no question of seeing documents. Information was given to the Duke which was available to any pressman.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Will the right hon. Gentleman let it be known at the London Press Club, and in Fleet Street, that anyone can go to his Department and get any information they like?

Mr. SHORTT

They cannot get any information they like, but they know perfectly well, for they are doing it every day, that they can get such information as is proper to be given.

Mr. NEIL MACLEAN

Is the information which this particular Department is prepared to give to individuals information only dealing with what this Department alleges to be the activities of trade union organisations and labour political organisers, or is any individual at liberty to go to this Department and get information as to any political organisation in the country?

Mr. SH0RTT

People can go there and ask for information, and if it is proper to be given they will get it. If it is not proper information to be given they will not get it. There is no question of dealing with the trade unions.

Dr. MURRAY

Has the Prime Minister changed his policy with regard to the special privileges of dukes?