§ 9. Mr. McGovernasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a large number of Indians who were living in Moscow and Leningrad have been arrested on the charge of being Trotskyist agents of Fascism; and whether he will make enquiries with a view to protecting the lives of these individuals, who are British subjects, and see that they have a proper legal defence?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir. But if the hon. Member will supply me with particulars of the cases which he has in mind, I will ask His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow to enquire into them.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the Minister take note of the fact that this converted revolutionary is now pleading with capitalism to protect criminals?
§ Mr. McGovernMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether it is a crime to ask for the defence of British subjects whose lives may be in danger in Moscow; and is the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) so completely under the thumb of Moscow that he dare not stand up and defend them?