§ 15. Captain CAZALETasked the Secretary of State for War, with regard to the private of the Royal Dental Corps who was found circulating seditious literature amongst the troops at Shorncliffe Camp, if he will say on whose behalf the literature was being circulated; whether any other recent instances of the circulation of such literature amongst the Forces have come to his notice; and what disciplinary action has been taken in the matter?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. T. Shaw)The literature referred to was published by the Communist Party of Great Britain. As regards the second part of the question, there have been some cases in which pamphlets and leaflets containing matter subversive of military discipline have been distributed to soldiers. As regards the last part of the question, the private of the Army Dental Corps has been discharged from the Army under the King's Regulations.
§ Captain CAZALETMay I ask whether this literature was printed in England or abroad?
Lieut. - Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLWill not the printers and publishers be held responsible, and punished according to law?
§ Mr. SHAWThere is a question on the Paper of a rather wider nature on which I should prefer to answer that question.
§ Mr. BECKETTHave not the troops the same right to read what they like as other grown up people?
§ Commander BELLAIRSMay I ask whether the disciplinary punishment of discharging men from the Army is an adequate punishment, considering—