HC Deb 17 April 1930 vol 237 cc3097-8
12. Mr. CHURCHILL (for Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL)

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to say what action has been taken against those who were responsible for printing and the publication of the Communist leaflets which were distributed to troops at Aldershot on the 16th March?

Mr. SHORT

My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the Secretary of State for War who advises that the military authorities did not consider that the contents of the leaflet in question were such as to justify their suggesting proceedings on a charge of sedition. This confirmed the view which my right hon. Friend has already expressed that the incident referred to was not of sufficient importance to require further notice.

Sir K. WOOD

Does that reply mean that these two unfortunate people, in very humble circumstances, who distributed these leaflets, will be prosecuted and punished at the police court, while the people who printed them will escape scot free?

Mr. SHORT

The right hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. I understand that no persons were arrested at Aldershot on 16th March last. It may be that the right hon. Gentleman is confusing this matter with the arrest of two men and a woman in London who were not prosecuted for distributing literature, but for insulting behaviour calculated to create a breach of the peace.

Sir K. WOOD

Is that not avoiding the matter? Were not these people prosecuted in connection with the distribution of Communist leaflets, and is it not a fact that the people who actually printed and published them have not been proceeded against?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Surely the hon. Gentleman can give an answer to that question?

Mr. SHORT

I have already indicated that these people were prosecuted for insulting behaviour, and were not associated with the distribution of Communist leaflets. Therefore, no charge would lie against the printers. In this case, there is undoubtedly some misapprehension on the part of my right hon. Friend.

Sir K. WOOD

Will the Under-Secretary undertake between now and the time we meet again to lay this case before the Director of Public Prosecutions in order that he can take any action which is necessary?

HON. MEMBERS

Answer!

Mr. SHORT

The Home Secretary has already indicated, not merely in this answer but in previous answers, that he does not consider that a prosecution is warranted in this case. I will certainly draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to what the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Woolwich has said.