HC Deb 16 March 1925 vol 181 cc1858-60
Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY rose

—

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Before my hon. and gallant Friend puts his private notice question, may I ask whether you, Sir, intend to follow the usual practice where you have two questions by Private Notice on the same subject of allowing the second question to be asked, provided the ground is not substantially identical and provided the Minister to whom the question is addressed is prepared to answer?

Mr. SPEAKER

I am quite ready to call the question of the right hon. and gallant Member, in addition to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull, before the answer is given.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

(by Private Notice) asked the home Secretary if he is aware that Mr. Harry Pollitt, General Secretary of the National Minority Movement, left Euston for Liverpool last Saturday by the 5.55 train and was dragged out of the carriage at Edgehill by a party of men, who forcibly removed him from the station and took him away by motor car, detainine him until yesterday afternoon—

HON. MEMBERS

"Oh!" and laughter.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Constitutional action. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the station officials refused to come to Mr. Pollitt's assistance although appealed to; has he inquired into this allegation, and whethe he is taking steps to have the authors of this outrage prosecuted?

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May I also ask the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the kidnapping of Mr. Harry Pollitt at Liverpool, apparently by British Fascisti, and whethes he is aware that this organisation enjoys the support of many ex-officers in receipt of half-pay or pension, as well as of the aristocracy generally—

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

No, no

Colonel WEDGWOOD

—and what steps he proposes to take to prevent developments of this form of class war?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

On n point of Order. I understood, Mr. Speaker, that you were to allow my right hon. and gallant Friend to put his question subsequently, and not immediately following mine. I submit to you, very respectfully, that my question is a question of fact, and that my right hon. Friend's question covers different ground altogether.

Mr. SPEAKER

I must confess that I have not seen the question of the right hon. and gallant Member, or I should have found it necessary to edit it. I was informed that he wished to put a similar question to the one put by the hon. and gallant Member. No doubt the Home Office will deal with the facts, and not with the allegations.

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

My right hon. Friend has no information in regard to this incident, but he has instituted inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I thank my hon. Friend for the answer. Will he particularly pay attention to the allegation that the station authorities refused to interfere, although eight men were dragging a person out of their premises

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Inquiries are being instituted into the whole of the circumstances.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Does the hon. Member expect to have information on the matter by to-morrow, when I hope to repeat my question?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I hope that we shall have information by to-morrow.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

"Can the hon. Member say what is the National Minority Movement?"

Mr. HAYES

Will the hon. Member circulate a "Wanted" notice for people who have been posing as police officers and thus deceiving the railway officials, instead of members of the "B.F." movement?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Perhaps the hon. Member had better put down any further questions to my right hon. Friend.