10. Mr. C LARRYasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that 1078 Arcos steamships are engaged in a definite traffic of dumping anti-British agents in this country under the guise of legitimate seamen, utilising methods of intensive propaganda to pervert British seamen who are signed on in place of the agents left in British ports; and, if so, what steps he proposes taking to counteract these activities?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am not aware that the ships of the Arcos Steamship Company or any other ships trading with Russia are engaged in such traffic, and I do not think, in view of the precautions which are taken, that it would be possible for these ships to be used for such a purpose. Under the provisions of the Aliens Order, the crews of all such ships are carefully scrutinised by the Immigration Officers, and no Soviet citizen who has been signed on at a foreign port is allowed to land for discharge at a port in this country, save very occasionally for the purpose of immediate transfer to an outgoing ship, in which case the condition is imposed that the alien concerned is to be discharged abroad. The Immigration Officers have the strictest instructions with regard to the crews of all ships trading with Russia, and I have no reason to doubt that these instructions are being followed in all cases.
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I ask whether the hon. Member, in getting this question put on the Paper, declared that he was satisfied that the contents of the question were bonâ fide?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI take it for granted.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs there any law to prevent a foreign sailor corning ashore for a walk?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIf the walk is strictly limited, I am not quite sure that there is; but if he goes on shore and slips away he is immediately arrested by the police.
§ Mr. TAYLORHas the right hon. Gentleman had to make any representations to the Soviet authorities respecting any individuals engaged in propaganda coming into the country in this way?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAny such representation would be made by my right hon. colleague the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONIs it Parliamentary language to use the word "skunk" to an hon. Member who is putting a supplementary question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is neither Parliamentary nor gentlemanly.
§ At the end of Questions—
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to assist me in discovering the identity of an hon. Member opposite who, earlier in the afternoon, called me a skunk?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMy assistance will be given in another direction when the hon. Member desires.