§ 21. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will direct the attention of those in charge of the machinery set up by the Government to inquire into Soviet propaganda in this country to the public display in London and Liverpool 1588 of the film The End of St. Petersburg, by the Russian Communist Pudovkin, in view of the subversive propaganda contained in this film and of the evidence which points to its having been introduced into this country by agents of the Communist International?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe public exhibition of any film depends upon the decision of the competent local authorities, and I do not propose to take any action in the matter.
§ Sir A. POWNALLHas the right hon. Gentleman had sent to him particulars in regard to these activities, and, if not, may I have particulars sent to him for his consideration?
§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman expect to get the results of this inquiry before the end of the Session?
Mr. HENDERSONI do not know to which inquiry the hon. Gentleman refers. There is nothing about an inquiry here.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe question refers to "machinery set up by the Government to inquire."
§ Mr. W. J. BROWNIn view of the tremendous educational value of the question, can the Foreign Secretary extend facilities to Members of the Opposition so as to help them to understand the revolution?
§ Mr. SMITHERSAre we to understand that if, in fact, there was revolutionary propaganda, the Government, as a central Government, have no power to deal with the matter?
§ 26. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the fact that the Report of the Sixth Congress of the 1589 Communist International, giving particulars of the active part taken by agents of the Third International in fomenting unrest throughout the British Empire, is an official document printed by the State publishing department in Moscow and not merely a press statement, that there can be no doubt as to its authenticity, and that there is no need for its verification by the special machinery set up by the Government to inquire into unofficial reports of propaganda, he will explain for what reason this official documents has not been brought to the attention of the Soviet ambassador, having regard to the express pledge given by him when he assumed office?
Mr. HENDERSONThe report to which the hon. Member refers is, I understand, a collation of the proceedings of the Congress held in the summer of 1928; and in consequence cannot well be regarded as a proper subject for representations under the agreement of December, 1929.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the incidents referred to therein with approval by the present Soviet Government occurred quite recently?
§ 29. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the school of oriental propaganda at Tashkent is still being carried on; and, if not, whether its functions are undertaken by any other institution in that city?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this school has been moved to Moscow and is there now?
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEWill the right hon. Gentleman let us know when the information is available?