HC Deb 06 August 1947 vol 441 cc1438-9
11. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what circumstances, and for what reasons, 200 copies of the book "How Russia transformed her Colonial Empire" were seized in the Gold Coast under the Customs ordinance; whether he is aware that this book is in circulation in Nigeria; and whether he will take steps to allow it free circulation in the Gold Coast.

Mr. Creech Jones

I am making inquiries into this matter and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as full information is available.

Mr. Skinnard

Will the Secretary of State arrange that a more complete answer as to the reason for the prohibition is given to the persons who wish to import the book, since the actual prohibition notice merely quotes Chapter 132 of the Customs Order.?

Mr. Creech Jones

I am myself very much in the dark at the moment about this.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Can the Minister inform the House of what the Russian Colonial Empire consists? May I have an answer?

Mr. Leslie Hale

Since this book was written by a distinguished British coloured subject of great authority and knowledge who, curiously enough, is certainly by no means pro-Russian, and in view of the fact that I myself communicated with the right hon. Gentleman about it a fortnight ago, would he see that the answer is printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Mr. Creech Jones

I am not in possession of the full facts, otherwise I would have attempted to answer today, but if there is any way of communicating the reply to Members of the House I certainly will.

Major Legge-Bourke

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Commander Stalin when speaking to students at Sverdlov University in 1924, asked, "Where does one strike at Imperialism?" and answered the question by saying, "Where the chain is weakest," and would he do his best to encourage hon. Members on his own side of the House to strengthen the chain rather than to weaken it?