HC Deb 07 July 1930 vol 241 cc35-6
65 and 66. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether any proceedings have been taken against the publishers and printers of the pamphlets inciting soldiers to mutiny and recently distributed to young recruits at Brecon, and in respect of which two persons were convicted at the recent Brecon Assize, and, respectively, sentenced to 12 and eight months' imprisonment;

(2) whether any proceedings have been taken against the publishers and printers of certain pamphlets inciting soldiers to mutiny and recently widely circulated throughout the Northern, Eastern and Western commands and distributed at Chatham, Aldershot, Yorkshire, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Wellington Barracks?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

The only pamphlet which has been brought to my notice containing incitement to mutiny circulated to soldiers was contained in an envelope marked "Lee's Tip for the Derby," and I presume it is to this pamphlet my right hon. Friend refers. This pamphlet was of such a serious nature that it was my manifest duty to take proceedings against any person who could be shown to have been concerned with the printing, publication or distribution. In two cases only, Brecon and Aldershot, have we succeeded in discovering the distributors; in the other cases mentioned the pamphlet was left in proximity to the barracks, but no distributor was discovered. We have not succeeded in obtaining evidence as to the persons concerned in the printing or publication. As I have already stated in reply to the right hon. Gentleman, if I can obtain this evidence I should certainly prosecute.

Sir K. WOOD

Apart altogether from the two pamphlets referred to, is it not a fact that during the last 12 months there have been numerous prosecutions in relation to these matters?

Sir LAMING WORTHINGTON-EVANS

Can the Attorney-General say whether the particular pamphlet to which he refers had not either an imprint on it or a statement on it that it was published by the Communist party?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

No, it had no imprint at all, and we had no clue whatever as to the publishers or the printers.

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

Was it not stated that it was published by the Communist party?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

There was no clue at all.

Mr. SMITHERS

Can the Attorney-General say whether the issue of this pamphlet constitutes a breach of the Protocol of last October?