HC Deb 09 February 1954 vol 523 cc979-80
9. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has sent to the letter he has received from the Scottish National Congress regarding agents provocateurs in Scotland.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

My right hon. Friend has received a letter in similar terms to the circular letter to which he referred in reply to a Question asked on 2nd February by the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes). The letter has been acknowledged.

Mr. Carmichael

That letter was sent more than a month ago. This is a very important matter concerning a very important body in Scotland. Because of the statement that was made about that letter, the same statement was made by counsel in the High Court in Edinburgh about agents provocateurs. I ask the Joint Under-Secretary whether we are not entitled to some kind of reply. The Minister has said today that no such position exists with the police in Scotland. He should answer the question quite definitely.

Mr. Stewart

The letter of 28th January to which I think the hon. Gentleman refers was sent to my right hon. Friend. There was no signature; merely a rubber stamp for a signature. It contained a copy of a resolution. The answer given was that the terms of the resolution had be noted. I do not know what more my right hon. Friend could have done.

Sir W. Darling

If this species exists in Scotland, can my hon. Friend tell us the Scottish equivalent of "agents provocateurs"?