§ 9 and 11. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) when he will be able to announce the decision of the Government with regard to the article in the issue of the "Daily Worker" of 8th May;
(2) whether he is aware that the Communists have taken steps to prolong the dispute in the wool trade and to provoke disorder among the pickets; that leading Communists have been drafted into Yorkshire; that Isador Dreazen, alias Jack Mills, was sent from Moscow as supervisor and organiser in the dispute; 372 and, seeing that the Communists are acting under orders from Russia, will he make a protest to the Soviet Government?
§ 16. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the attitude of the Soviet Press towards the situation in India, he will say when he will be in a position to make a statement as to whether he has decided to make any representations to the Soviet Ambassador respecting the revolutionary opinion therein expressed, having regard to the absolute control which the Soviet Government has over the Press in Russia?
§ 20. Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the issue of "Pravda," the official organ of the Soviet Government, of the 12th instant, stating that the events India are encouraging and the events in Peshawar, Karachi, Bombay and Calcutta prove that the masses are winning, that they are beginning to defeat the counter-revolutionary forces, and that in the whole country there is only one cry, Down with the imperialists and long live the revolution; and what action he is taking in the matter?
Mr. A. HENDERSONAs I informed the right hon. Gentleman, the Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on Monday last, various questions connected with Communist propaganda are receiving my serious consideration.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWhen is the right hon. Gentleman going to take some notice of this ceaseless propaganda which is going on? Has he seen two cartoons in this week's "Punch"?
Mr. HENDERSONI do not know why the hon. Member puts the question. I have already told him I am giving the matter my serious consideration.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWhat we want is some action taken.
§ Captain MACDONALDCan the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the urgency of this matter and the fact that this propaganda is causing considerable anxiety in this country as well as in India, give a date when he will be able to make a statement?
Mr. HENDERSONNo, I cannot give any date. This matter is receiving my most careful and serious consideration. These matters are appearing in the Press, and I have to consider them as they arise, and I cannot say definitely when I shall be able to make a further statement.