36. Mr. DOYLEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to a statement by an hon. Member of this House to the effect that he is prepared to prove that the Communist movement is receiving financial help for propagandist purposes from the Soviet Government of Russia; to what extent is he prepared to supplement such information with that in his possession; and if he is now prepared to protect the working classes of this country from being exploited in the interests of foreign revolutionaries?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)I have not seen the proofs referred to in the first part of the question, and therefore do not know how far I am in a position to supplement them. I have always been prepared to assist in any action necessary to prevent incitements to violence in contravention of the law, but I have no power to stop mere propaganda of opinions, however false and harmful, even when the propagandists are in receipt of pay from foreign sources.