HC Deb 05 June 1947 vol 438 cc381-2
54. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the continuing demand, he will now arrange for the import of at least 100,000 additional copies of the Report of the Royal Commission, published in Ottawa on 27th June, 1946, and arrange to have them made available to the public through His Majesty's Stationery Office and booksellers.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

No, Sir. I am only aware of a demand for some 600 copies, and I have previously explained that additional copies are on order to meet this and future possible requirements.

Sir W. Smithers

Is not the Financial Secretary aware that Communist propaganda is at the root of most of the troubles in the world today, and will he not give the British public an opportunity of reading this evidence more widely, because in it there is direct proof of Communist propaganda in this very City of London, and the public ought to be allowed to realise the danger to this country?

Mr. Gallacher

May I ask the Minister whether, in view of this desire for sensationalism, he would publish the names of those registered in the book of Captain Ramsay and thus shake some of the Tories out of their seats?

Earl Winterton

On a point of Order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether "sensationalism" is the proper word for a Member of this House to use about an official document published by a Dominion Government?

Mr. Speaker

I must say that I think it is an unfortunate thing to say about a document issued by another Government.

Earl Winterton

The hon. Member should withdraw it.

Mr. Gallacher

On a point of Order. May I say, Mr. Speaker, that I have not seen this document, but that what I am concerned about is the sensationalism which was expressed in the supplementary question asked by the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers)?

Earl Winterton

It is a disgraceful thing to say about a friendly Government.

Mr. Gallacher

If, after reading the hon. Member for Orpington's supplementary question, hon. Members come to the conclusion that it is not sensationalism, then I will be prepared to make a pact of friendship with the hoe. Gentleman.

Mr. Speaker

In complete fairness, must say that there is something in which I agree with the hon. Member, although that may be surprising. I will be quite frank and say that sometimes there is something rather extraordinary about the supplementary questions which are asked by the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers).

Earl Winterton

On a point of Order. I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, to have to raise another point of Order, but I want to make it clear that your reference was not to the document issued by the Canadian Government.

Mr. Speaker

It is most unfortunate to say that a document issued by a Dominion Government is sensationalism. I gather that the hon. Member was referring to the supplementary question.

Sir W. Smithers

In view of your remark, Mr. Speaker, which I accept, may I say that these questions are not really extraordinary, and that even you do not realise the danger Of Communism in this country?

Mr. Speaker

Even so, questions should be directed to obtaining information, and not to airing personal views