§ 46 Sir W. Smithersasked the Prime Minister if he will set up a Royal Commission to inquire into Communist activities and propaganda in Great Britain.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. There can be few countries in the world where Communism has more difficulty in making headway than in this island, with our free institutions and long experience. The security aspect can well be dealt with under our established laws, the vigilant administration of which is under constant Parliamentary attention.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the Prime Minister aware that Mr. Casey is reported to have said that the spy rings which have caused so much trouble in Australia are active in all countries, including Britain? Will 1785 he make an appeal to the British public relentlessly to combat Communist activities everywhere? Will he also tell the British public that there is no difference in principle between Communism and Socialism?
§ The Prime MinisterI really do not think that that would be a helpful suggestion for me to act upon.