§ 51. Mr. SANDERSasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to three illustrations derisive of the second person in the Holy Trinity published in the "Times" newspaper of 22nd February, 1930; and if he proposes to prosecute those responsible for the publication for blasphemous libel?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Proceedings should not be taken when clearly no offence is intended to anyone's religious convictions.
§ Mr. SANDERSMay I ask whether we are to understand that, provided it is stated in the reproduction of a blasphemous libel that there is no intention of hurting the feelings of anyone, the reproduction of a blasphemous libel is permissible?
§ Mr. CLYNESHon. Members must draw their own conclusions. I can give no lawyer's opinion on the subject.
Major ASTORDoes the Home Secretary not think it desirable that the people of this country should know the Soviet attitude towards the Christian Faith?
§ Mr. CLYNESCertainly; and no labour has been spared under that head.
§ Mr. ALBERYMay I ask whether it is not the fact, contrary to what the right hon. Gentleman has stated, that the circumstances in which this illustration appeared were not derisive?
§ Mr. PYBUSIs it not the fact that the sole object of this publication was to assist the Government to discover the truth of the situation which they promised this House they would discover?
§ Mr. CLYNESThat may have been the object.