28. Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information with regard to the arrest recently by the Stockholm police of a British citizen named Ferguson, who has been employed by the Soviet Government on a Communist propaganda tour in Norrland; and whether any and, if so, what facilities 589 have been afforded to Mr. Ferguson by the British authorities for visiting Russia, Sweden, or other European countries, and what were the grounds on which such facilities were applied for and granted?
Mr. A. HENDERSONMr. Aitken Ferguson, a British subject born in Glasgow, was arrested by the Swedish police on 18th October, on a charge of making speeches subversive of good order and government and likely to provoke a breach of the peace. Mr. Ferguson obtained a passport in 1925, which was endorsed at his request in 1926 for travelling to the Soviet Union, Sweden, and other countries in Northern and Eastern Europe, subject to his obtaining the necessary visas. No further facilities have been granted to him since that date.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Mr. Ferguson was sent by the Soviet Government at the express desire of the Communists, who asked for somebody who could strengthen their propaganda?