§ 46. Mr. SAKLATVALAasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the 1218 new information that has come to light in connection with the document known as the Zinovieff Letter, it is proposed to set up a Committee of Inquiry into the matter; and, as the said letter was alleged to have been sent to the Communist party of Great Britain, particularly involving its representative member, the late Mr. Arthur McManus, whether the Committee will be given such Terms of Reference as will permit the investigation of this allegation?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton).
§ Mr. SAKLATVALADoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that if a Debate is to be conducted upon a very mysterious affair we want some preliminary data? Does he not see the necessity that he should, before the Debate can be intelligently conducted, supply the information which he alone is able to supply?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt, is more courteous to give a reply to the Leader of the Opposition than to reply to a question from the Back Benches.
§ 89. Mr. SAKLATVALAasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any minute in existence of the meeting between the late Sir Eyre Crowe, Mr. J. D. Gregory, and others in the forenoon of 24th October, 1924, in Sir Eyre Crowe's private room, at which meeting Sir Eyre Crowe is alleged to have announced his intention to publish the protest note to the Soviet charge d'affaires; if so, will be cause it to be laid before this House and, if such minute is not available, will he ascertain if Sir Eyre Crowe decided to publish the protest note or left it to Mr. Gregory's decision?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) and to the hon. Member for Merthyr (Mr. Wallhead).
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAMay I know, Mr. Speaker, if the Ministers of the Crown are to be at liberty not to reply to questions 1219 because subsequently the matter may be discussed? On all topics we have debates in this House, on health, pensions and War Office questions, and does a prospective Debate in this House entitle Ministers to hide their own criminal actions?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should put his questions in a proper form, before I can deal with them.