§ 48. Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINasked the Prime Minister, with reference to the published plans of the executive of the Communist International and the executive bureau of the Red Trade Union International for fomenting revolution in Great Britain and India, including incitement to civil war and mutiny, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to carry out the pledge which he gave to this House on 2nd July, 1929, that he would insist on the observance by the Soviet authorities of the conditions as to abstention from interference in the internal affairs of the British Empire laid down in his Note on the Zinovieff letter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that the Soviet Press on 9th May published, as an item of news, what purport to be extracts from the programme of the Indian Communist party, but the full texts of other documents referred to in certain organs of the London Press on 12th May have not reached the Foreign Office. Hon. Members opposite are, I think, inclined to view with undue alarm such manifestoes, which have been issued at intervals for years past. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has explained on a number of occasions, His Majesty's Government must be the judges in the first instance as to the gravity of any such pronouncements, and as to the action, if any, which may be expedient or necessary to safeguard the interests of this country.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman proposes to take no action and is not making any inquiry in connection with these reports?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope the right hon. Gentleman will not draw that 1357 conclusion. These reports and similar things are all very carefully watched in order that action may be taken if it is expedient.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINWill the right hon. Gentleman maintain the statement made by himself, and reaffirmed by the Foreign Secretary, that His Majesty's Government will not tolerate any interference in our internal affairs by these bodies either in this country or in any part of the Empire, and will they act upon that declaration?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, the right hon. Gentleman may always assume that the Government are a realistic Government.
§ 92. Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the terms of the agreement between this country and the Soviet Government, he has given consideration to the new plan formulated by the executive committee of the Communist International and the executive bureau of the Profintern for an immediate intensification of offensive operations against the British Empire, and directing their agents to concentrate on the British Isles and India; and whether he proposes to make any representations to the Soviet Government on the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Dalton)I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement on this subject made by the Prime Minister this afternoon in answer to a question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham (Sir A. Chamberlain).
§ Sir K. WOODWill the hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of the question, which has not yet been answered—whether he proposes to make any representations to the Soviet Government on the matter.
§ Mr. DALTONI have nothing to add to the Prime Minister's statement.
§ Mr. HAYCOCKIs there such a thing as "the Profintern"?