§ 31. Mr. THURTLEasked the Postmaster-General on what grounds his Department decided not to permit Messrs. Russian Oil Products, Limited, to advertise again in the Telephone Directory, in view of the fact that a Court of Appeal, on 12th May, 1921, consisting of Lord Justices Banks, Warrington, and Scrutton, declared that British Courts could not question the Soviet Government's title to property if that title was acquired by its laws within its own territory?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)It is the practice to refuse advertisements which are likely to give rise to political controversy and I regard the advertisement referred to as falling within this category.
§ Mr. MACKINDERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 75 per cent. of these oil products are sold to other firms in this country, and then retailed by them as fine spirit, and is not that advertising these goods through different firms?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have no knowledge of that.
§ Mr. THURTLEMay we take it that there has been no pressure applied to 375 the right hon. Gentleman's Department by the great oil combines of this country to induce him to take up this attitude?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONOh, yes; the hon. Member may certainly take that to be the case.