HC Deb 03 December 1925 vol 188 cc2487-8
38. Mr. W. BAKER

asked the. Home Secretary if he will publish the terms of his recent instruction to the police that the law was to be fairly applied as from that date?

40. Mr. DALTON

asked the Home Secretary on what date he recently issued instructions to the police that equal justice was to be meted out to all; whether such instructions were in writing; if so, whether he will communicate the text to this House; and, if not, how they were issued and what was their substance?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

On learning of the seizure of the "Daily Herald" van, I gave personal instructions to one of the Commissioners of Police that if there was reason to think that any Fascist organisation had, in fact, instigated this action, every effort should be made to obtain evidence which would lead to the conviction of those responsible, since, of course, the law must be administered with complete impartiality. My view was acted upon by the police.

Mr. BECKETT

Would the right hon. Gentleman use the same methods of finding out what the Fascisti are doing, as he uses to find out what is done by the Communists?

Mr. LANSBURY

Put some one under the platform.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

If the hon. Member for Gateshead (Mr. Beckett) will give me any information at all, or tell me of anything suspicious that will lead to the conclusion that there is a reasonable opportunity of finding out that the Fascisti or any other organisation is about to commit crime, it will be my duty to investigate it to the utmost of my power.

Mr. BECKETT

May I put it, Mr. Speaker, that it is not for me or others to give the Home Secretary information. It is his place to find out?

Mr. LANSBURY

Are not the Criminal Investigation Department aware that a pictorial newspaper published a photograph of two of these armed gentlemen in arms, with black shirts, and everything else? No action has been taken in regard to them at all. Why should not the same trouble be taken to find out the doctrines of these gentlemen as is done about the Communists? Put people at their meetings—spies and so on?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is rather a large point for a supplementary question.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Has the Department of the right hon. Gentleman ever intercepted letters, correspondence, and work of these organisations?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

That, I think, is really a question which ought not to be put, either to the Home Secretary or other Minister.