§ 20. Mr. LOOKERasked the Home Secretary whether he has received any reports from his Department regarding the number of people engaged in disseminating subversive propaganda in this country; and, if so, will he communicate the result of such information to the House?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI regret I can only say that I receive many reports of which it would not be in the public interest to give details.
§ Mr. LOOKERCan my right hon. Friend state whether the persons engaged in this kind of propaganda are on the increase or on the decrease?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIn the actual propaganda I should say that they are not on the increase. Certain steps have been taken to prevent it.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat is rather like offering a dog a new bone. I am, satisfied that I am making as good use as I possibly can of the powers I now have.
§ Mr. WALLHEADWhat is the definition of "subversive"?
22. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Home Secretary whether the police authorities have obtained any further evidence with regard to those responsible for the privately printed leaflet inciting members of His Majesty's forces to mutiny, which leaflet was recently discovered to have been put into circulation in certain garrison towns.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo evidence has been discovered.
Sir F. HALLAre the Government prosecuting inquiries with the object of elucidating whence this propaganda has emanated?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs I understand it, the leaflet to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was a highly coloured piece of paper on which there was no imprint, no printer and no name, and it was put under the rails of Chelsea Barracks, and we have not been able to find out who printed it or from whence it came.
Sir F. HALLIs my right hon. Friend aware that the representatives of His Majesty's Government in another place indicated that they were in hopes of tracing it? Are they taking steps to endeavour to do so?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSPerhaps my Noble Friend in another place was more hopeful than I was, but I gave orders three weeks ago to the police to discover it if it was possible. It is not always possible to discover the origin of anonymous leaflets.