§ 58. Sir C. YATEasked the Home Secretary whether the Industrial Workers of the World has been declared an illegal conspiracy in England, as it has been in America; whether his attention has been called to the speeches about fighting policemen with revolvers delivered by two Industrial Workers of the World organisers from the United States, one of whom had been deported, at the annual congress of the Communist party at St. Pancras Baths; and what action he is taking in the matter?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and I have no information as to the speeches referred to in the latter part.
§ Sir C. YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into this case?
§ Mr. SHORTTI really do not see that there is any object in my doing so; the Industrial Workers of the World have no power in this country.
§ Sir C. YATEWhat authority has the right hon. Gentleman for saying that?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYIn respect to the Communist party, surely the right hon. Gentleman's office must have people present at some of the meetings to hear what is said and to take notes, or do you ignore them?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo, Sir, certainly not. I only said that we had no report of these two speeches.