HC Deb 11 June 1928 vol 218 cc601-3
1. Mr. WELLOCK

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is yet in a position to say why a copy of a book entitled "The Politics of Oil," sent to India by a. London bookseller, was confiscated on its arrival in that country in March last?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)

This book was confiscated on arrival at Bombay as coming within the scope of the Notification issued under Section 19 of the Sea Customs Act. This Notification pro- hibits the importation of publications issued by or emanating from any organisation affiliated to or controlled by or connected with the Communist International.

Mr. WELLOCK

This book has nothing whatever to do with Communism; it was published by the Labour Publishing Company, and was written at the instigation of the Labour Research Department.

Earl WINTERTON

The book was written by Mr. R. Page Arnott, of the Labour Research Department. I am informed that the author is a leading member of he Communist party in Great Britain, and he was convicted in this country in 1925 on a charge of conspiring with other persons to utter and publish seditious libels under the Incitement to Mutiny Act. He has been in Moscow for some time past working in close contact with the authorities there.

Mr. WELLOCK

Is the Noble Lord aware that this book has nothing whatever to do with Communism, and that it is one of a series of studies of labour and capital, and deals purely with oil in politics?

Mr. SAKLATVALA

If a member of the Communist party wrote a novel or a book of poetry, would he be debarred from carrying on his journalistic activity, and, if so, on what grounds, and how does the Government prohibit it?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is rather hypothetical.

Earl WINTERTON

As regards the question as to the conditions under which this book was published, I would call the hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that it was published by the Labour Research Department, 162, Buckingham Palace Road. I am informed that this is an institution which is in close touch with the Communists, and is known to collaborate with the equivalent body in Moscow, which is under the control of the Central Council of the Trade Unions in Moscow.

Mr. SHINWELL

Will the Noble Lord agree to read this publication himself, and ascertain whether it is of the kind which ought to be excluded from India?

Earl WINTERTON

No, Sir; it is the source of the publication, and not the publication itself which was the cause of the Government of India deciding to exclude it.

Mr. SHINWELL

I asked whether the Noble Lord will agree to read it?

Earl WINTERTON

No, Sir; because it is a matter for the Government of India, who are in this matter acting within their full discretion, and with the full approval of my Noble Friend.

Mr. KELLY

Will the Noble Lord give us any information as to his authority for stating that this particular committee in Buckingham Palace Road is under the control of some committee in Moscow?

Earl WINTERTON

I have made inquiries to that effect—and I am not going to give my source of information—and so has the Government of India.

Commander WILLIAMS

Can the Noble Lord inform us where the extreme Socialist ends and the Communist begins?

Mr. THURTLE

Are we to understand that any book written by a Communist is to be forbidden entry into India?

Earl WINTERTON

The Government of India are acting in this matter exactly as the trade unions are acting in this country, and are doing their best to exclude Communist interference from outside sources with the internal affairs of India.

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