HC Deb 13 August 1947 vol 441 cc2419-20
35. Mr. Driberg

asked the Attorney-General, if his attention has been called to the seditious libel contained in an editorial article in the "Morecambe and Heysham Visitor" of 6th August, which is professedly anti-Semitic in character and commends the use of violence against the Jewish community in Britain; and what action he is taking.

The Attorney-General (Sir Hartley Shawcross)

My attention has been drawn to the publication referred to by my hon. Friend, which I have forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.

Mr. Driberg

Will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that if the existing law and powers prove inadequate to deal wth this most dangerous disease of anti-Semitism, it may be necessary to introduce new legislation?

The Attorney-General

I have no doubt of the deplorable character of this movement, or, indeed, of the article in question, of which the avowed intention is to create anti-Semitism. Whether it involves any breach of the criminal law is a matter which is now going to receive consideration in connection with this article. The wider aspects of the matter will certainly be looked at in the light of the result of the consideration to which I have referred.

Mr. McGovern

Will the Attorney-General bear in mind that while deprecating anti-Semitism, sometimes when one tries to cure an evil one only extends it, and that it is far better to allow public opinion and reasoned opinion in this country to operate instead of going in for wholesale repression which may affect more than the people concerned?

The Attorney-General

I quite agree. That is a very important consideration and and one to which, of course, we have regard, both in connection with prosecutions in particular cases, and in connection with the wider aspect of the matter which was put to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg).

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the Attorney-General aware that anti-Semitism is, in its essence, an incitement to murder, and should it not be treated as the crime which it really is?

Mr. Bechervaise

While hoping that some action will be taken against this movement, may I ask the Attorney-General at the same time to consider some of the violent anti-British propaganda?