HC Deb 02 December 1937 vol 329 cc2233-4
41. Commander Marsden

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Jaroslawsky, head of the Godless movement, has declined to adopt the proposal of the Communist party that the proposed Godless Congress should be held in some country other than England on [he grounds that it is especially desirable to hold it in this country as a reply to the Church Union Congress at Oxford, and that the British Government has not yet forbidden it; and whether, in view of these circumstances and of the fact that arrangements have been made for English-speaking broadcasts about the congress and the Godless movement generally, he will make a further and clear statement as to the intentions of His Majesty's Government on this matter?

Mr. Lloyd

My right hon. Friend has no knowledge of any pronouncement of the kind suggested in this question, and he is not in a position to add anything to the reply which he gave to questions on this subject on filth November.

Commander Marsden

Is my hon. Friend aware that such a meeting would be contrary to the wishes of the great majority of the people of this country; and will he not make a definite declaration now that it shall not be held, and so avoid a lot of trouble in the future?

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the Communist party does not know Mr. Jaroslawsky; that I have never made any representation to Mr. Jaroslawsky; and that I have never heard, except from the other side, of any proposal for such a conference?

Commander Marsden

Before that question is answered, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that the gentleman in question is complaining of the timidity of the English Communists?

Mr. David Grenfell

I do not question the right of the House to have this question before it, but is it a matter for the House whether Mr. Jaroslawsky or anybody else has any opinions of this kind?

Mr. Herbert Morrison

Will the Minister keep in mind, having regard to the general outlook of the Conservative party, that that party may wish to be represented at this congress?