§ 8. Commander MARSDENasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the steps being taken to organise a hunger march on London early in the new year, he will state what information he has either as to the names of the organisers of the march or the arrangements made for it?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)I am aware that in connection with a congress describing itself as the "National United Front Congress" to be held in London in February next, a march to London by contingents from different parts of the country is being organised. It is clear from published statements of the Communist party that they are the prime instigators of the plans for this march, that it will be under their control and subordinated to their purposes, and that the intention is to represent the march as a "mass struggle of the unemployed." I am sure that there will be general agreement that these marches are not in the real interests of the unemployed, and any persons undertaking to furnish means which enable such concentrations to take place incur very grave responsibility.
§ Commander MARSDENIs it not a fact that these marches have never done any good, and that they merely bring more distress and trouble, to a great number of those who take part in them?
§ Sir. J. GILMOURYes, Sir, and on that point I hope that hon. Members on all sides of the House will agree.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWhat attitude is the right hon. Gentleman going to take to the greatest of all the organisers of hunger marches, namely, the Minister of Agriculture?