HC Deb 03 August 1926 vol 198 cc2792-3
71. Captain BENN

asked the Home Secretary whether lie will grant a Return showing the precise words in respect of the use of which persons have been convicted under the Emergency Regulations?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I do not think it would be practicable to publish a Return which would be satisfactory for the purpose the hon. and gallant Member has in mind. Apart from the difficulty of collecting records that would be accepted as authentic, utterances of the kind that are in question cannot be fairly judged apart from their whole context and some account of the circumstances in which they were delivered. If the hon. and gallant Member has in mind individual cases and will submit particulars, I will look into them.

Captain BENN

If the charge is made in respect of the use of seditious words, what is the difficulty in publishing the seditious words on which a conviction has been obtained?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have said in my reply that the mere publication of the four or five words, apart from their context, would not be satisfactory for the purpose which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has in view. The question which the magistrates have to decide is whether the speech was in itself seditious in the circumstances in which it was delivered.

Captain BENN

Is not the charge framed in respect of using certain words?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I must have notice in regard to the actual words of the charge. That would probably be the form of the charge.

Mr. W. THORNE

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the ordinary laws and Regulations are quite sufficient without having these special Emergency Regulations operating?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

That was debated very fully last week, and the Rouse came to the conclusion that it was desirable, at the present, at all events, to continue the Regulations.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Would there be any difficulty in making a return of the actual charges?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I think there would. It would involve applications and searches through every single charge made in the last three months in scores of Police Courts throughout the country. While the emergency is in existence it would be, I think, an unwarrantable difficulty to put upon the police forces of the country?

Captain BENN

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether in a case where a conviction has been secured, the words of the charge could be published?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have never known at all of any such charge being made in regard to a conviction.