§ 20. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Home Secretary whether he will lay upon the Table of the House copies of all correspondence which has passed between him and a Russian citizen named Sabline, in reference to anti-Bolshevik propaganda and the part played by Russian subjects during the general strike in securing the defeat of the workers on strike during last summer?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAmong the many letters sent to the Home Office or to me at the time of the General Strike was one, and only one, from a Mr. Sabline, which was acknowledged in terms that have been quoted in the Press. The letter is not of sufficient importance to justify printing it, but the hon. Member is welcome to see it.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage the subjects of other nations to take part in putting down strikes or lock-outs in this country?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIf the hon. Member has read the letter, which has been published in a paper, I Chink, called the "Daily Herald," he will have seen that a very proper reply was given, with an acknowledgment of thanks.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it the Government policy to approve of the interference of friends from other countries in the internal affairs of this country on the side of the Government's own policy against the workers?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe question on the Paper asked for information, and I have given the information. I do not think the hon. Member's supplementary question arises out of it.
§ 29. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Home Secretary on how many occasions he has interviewed Mr. Sabline since taking office; and whether these interviews related to the affairs of Russia or of Great Britain?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI once met Mr. Sabline in a private house. He has, I believe, once seen one of my Secretaries at the Home Office, but the conversation in neither case was of the character or importance suggested by the hon. Member's question.
§ Mr. MOSLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that it is proper to receive a Russian who, in the words of the Trade Agreement, is fomenting rebellion against the Government of Russia?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is a long tradition of the Home Office to be courteous, and I always receive, as far as time permits, those who desire to see me.
§ Mr. MOSLEYWas not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this could well be construed as an infringement of the Trade Agreement?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have not heard of any complaint that it was such an infringement.
Mr. BECKETTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Russian subject is boasting that he has the right hon. Gentleman under his thumb?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have not seen that.
§ Mr. SPEAKERMany people say that sort of thing.
§ 30. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Home Secretary how many Russians gave their services to the Government in the industrial struggle of May last, for which he despatched a letter of thanks to Mr. Sabline; and whether lie will state the nature of these services?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe hon. Member is mistaken. I did not thank Mr. Sabline for services given by Russians to the Government, and I know of no such services. Mr. Sabline wrote to inform me that a number of his compatriots had responded to the general call for assistance in the maintenance of essential services and a courteous acknowledgment was sent to him on my behalf. As I have just informed the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley, the correspondence is open to inspection.
§ Mr. MOSLEYDid the right hon. Gentleman then give thanks for these services without having the least knowledge of what they were?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt was a general expression of thanks to this gentleman and some of his compatriots who had rendered this country service and one of my secretaries, in the usual courteous manner of the Home Office, thanked him for his letter.
§ Mr. MOSLEYDid not the right hon. Gentleman find out what the services were before he despatched the letter of thanks?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not want to take refuge in ignorance, but this matter was just after the general strike, when I was very busy, and I am bound 1897 to confess that I did not see the letter. It was opened by my secretary in the usual way, and he courteously thanked him.