HC Deb 07 October 1942 vol 383 c1203
36. Sir Austin Hudson

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that an allowance of five gallons of petrol per week has been granted to two loudspeaker vans used by the Communist Party of Great Britain on the ground that they will be used for the purpose of encouraging the increase of production and the recruitment of women; whether he will make inquiry as to whether the vans are not in fact being used for Communist Party propaganda; and whether he will take steps to discourage the use of petrol for furthering the political interests of any party?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is in the affirmative. I promised last week to make inquiries into the purposes for which these vans are in fact being used. These inquiries are proceeding.

Sir A. Hudson

Is the Minister aware that one day a short time ago one of the speakers on one of these vans alluded to the Lord President of the Council as "the butcher of Bengal"; is that increasing production and the recruitment of women?

Mr. Noel-Baker

My hon. Friend made statements here this week and last week as to the use to which these vans have been put. I have as yet received no confirmed evidence which supports his statements, either from him or from anybody else.

Sir A. Hudson

I will send all the evidence I have to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Maxton

Does the Minister think that it would be wrong to refer to the right hon. Gentleman as "the butcher of Bengal"?