The following question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON:12. To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take following the Government Report respecting the receipt by banks in England of money from Soviet authorities for the use of the Communist party.
§ Mr. RILEYWith regard to this question, may I ask whether it is proper to put down a question asserting that the Soviet authorities have sent money to the Communist party in this country?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI thought that that was what was announced the other day. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] An hon. Member who puts down a question takes the responsibility of asking it.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs I stated in reply to a supplementary question on Monday last, I accept the statement of the directors of the Moscow Narodny Bank that they were unaware of what was going on and I therefore do not propose to take any action against the bank. As regards the other persons concerned, I am consulting my legal advisers as to whether there is any offence which can be dealt with by criminal proceedings.
§ Mr. RILEYMay I ask whether as a result of the recent inquiries no evidence at all was forthcoming that money was sent by the Soviet Government to the Soviet banks in this country for distribution among the Communist party?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat is quite true, and it is fair to say that the connection between the Soviet Government and the Soviet banks here has not been established. I have not been able to find any channel through which this money passed, but the fact that the money is there and is being used is clearly evident.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn view of the original answer of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask how it was that he was led into making the statement, on a public platform, that these banks were being used in this way without any evidence in his possession?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe hon. and gallant Member must not say "without evidence." I had a great deal of evidence in my hands long before the banks opened their books to me.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWas it not proved to be quite erroneous?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNot at all.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIn a matter of criminal procedings, I must be guided by my legal advisers, and I have referred the matter to them.
§ Mr. MACLEANDoes not the reply of the right hon. Gentleman entirely remove the inference in the question, that these banks were really and knowingly using that money for the purpose of subsidising the Communist party?