HC Deb 27 March 1930 vol 237 cc583-4
25. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government proposes to prosecute those responsible for the printing and publication of the Communist leaflets distributed to troops at Aldershot on 16th March in which the persecution by the Soviet authorities of religious organisations in Russia was justified, and soldiers were urged to disturb religious services convened to protest against the ill-treatment of persons on the ground of their religious beliefs?

Mr. CLYNES

I have had no communication in this matter either from the military authorities or from the police, and I think it may fairly be concluded that little importance is to be attached to the incident referred to.

Sir F. HALL

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it of such little importance that pamphlets of this nature should be circulated among loyal troops in this country? Does he not think that it is advisable that he should communicate with the military authorities at Aldershot and find out whether it has had any detrimental effect, so as to stop this sort of thing?

Mr. CLYNES

In such a matter the Home Office would move on the approach either of the military authorities or the police authorities, and we have had no sign from either.

Sir K. WOOD

Is it not a fact that the two men who distributed the leaflets were prosecuted? Why, therefore, should not the people who printed them be prosecuted also?

Mr. CLYNES

I can only say that the two main State Departments concerned—the police authorities and the military authorities—have taken no action, and the Home Office has no official information of it.

Sir F. HALL

Are the printers and publishers to go scot free, although the men who distributed them have been punished? That is the point.

Mr. CLYNES

That is the point which I have already answered, and it is useless to repeat it.

Mr. CHURCHILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the position occupied by the printers and publishers of these leaflets, for distributing which humbler men have been punished?

Mr. CLYNES

I imagine that the military authorities, who are most concerned in the first instance in this matter, will have that matter before their minds, but I am quite prepared independently to see what can be done.