HC Deb 18 May 1939 vol 347 cc1616-8
58. Mr. Kirby

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House a list of the propaganda organisations in this country financed from abroad in the interests of foreign countries and their ideologies, together with the countries involved; and will he take steps to make these organisations illegal?

Sir S. Hoare

Organisations receiving financial support from abroad are of a very wide variety, covering many phases of commercial and social activity. To the purposes of many of them no objection can be taken. As regards some of them, it is necessary in the public interest to keep a watch on their activities, but it would not be practicable to publish in the form suggested such information as I have about these selected organisations. Legislation for the suppression of every kind of foreign organisation which has some propaganda purpose would not seem to be an appropirate method of effecting the object which the hon. Member presumably has in mind.

Mr. Kirby

In view of the answer he has given, may I ask whether he is satisfied that every step is being taken by the Home Office and the police in order to put down what I term propaganda organisations who are trying to undermine the State?

Sir S. Hoare

One is never satisfied about anything, but what we are trying to do is to watch closely the activities of these organisations, and I think on the whole that our machinery is adequate for the purpose.

Mr. Herbert Morrison

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least consider making public the names of the organisations that depend wholly or in part on financial subsidies from abroad, whatever the nature of the organisation may be?

Sir S. Hoare

I will look into the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman, but on my present information I think it is necessary to draw a distinction between some organisations and others.

Mr. H. G. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to examine the Bill which was introduced in 1926 to deal with this problem, which the Labour party unanimously opposed?

Mr. Mander

Would it not be a really useful thing to well-meaning British subjects to have such a list, and so to be put on their guard, so that anyone who is doubtful about a particular organisation can make inquiries from the Home Office and find out whether it is on the list or not?

Sir A. Wilson

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the result of possible retaliation against the British Council if he does any such thing?