§ 64. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the distribution of a Communist leaflet published by the Communist Party of Great Britain, of No. 16, Queen Street, W.C., which was distributed among sailors of the French Navy when they recently visited London; and whether it is proposed to take any action against the publishers of the leaflet in question, which not only makes false statements against the British Prime Minister and the British Government but also attacks the French Prime Minister?
§ Captain HACKINGYes, Sir, but the leaflet, though it contains a number of false statements, is not one on which criminal proceedings could be taken.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that this leaflet urges not only the overthrow of the British Government but the overthrow of the French Government, because, it says, we are plotting war against Russia and also in China, and if he has not power to deal with very malicious statements like these, which are likely to cause trouble, does he not think that he had better obtain those powers?
§ Mr. STEPHENBefore the hon. and gallant Gentleman replies may I ask, is he sure that this document was not issued by the British Fascisti organisation?
§ Captain HACKINGIn reply to the last question, I am quite confident of that fact. As to the first supplementary question, the reception that was given to our visitors by the loyal population of this country was so enthusiastic and so greatly pleased our visitors that I felt confident that these leaflets, however subversive, have not had the slightest effect.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the plotting that is going on against the trade unions?
§ Captain HACKINGNo, I am not aware of it.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the 1009 literature referred to in this question is very similar to the literature issued in Northern Ireland in 1914?
§ Sir W. DAVISONThat is utterly untrue.