§ 16. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make inquiries in the Metropolitan Police district regarding the establishment and activities of a British branch of the Ku Klux Klan, which arc liable to result in breaches of the peace.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that he is aware of the existence of Ku Klux Klan sympathisers. Their activities are on a 348 very small scale and appropriate action will be taken if any of their activities seem likely to lead to a breach of the peace.
§ Mr. BrockwayWhilst recognising that we do not want to interfere with the rights of organisations or the expression of views, and that the response from British people is likely to be small, may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that this organisation has agents in seven towns in this country, that it has a membership of several hundreds already, and that it is planning guerilla action by small, anonymous groups. not only against coloured persons, but those of the Jewish race and certain Christian communities? In view of this plan, and the lynchings and beatings which have taken place in America, will the Home Secretary keep a very close watch on these activities?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir, certainly. The authorities will keep very close watch upon their activities, as indicated in my Answer. If the hon. Gentleman cares to give me any information, I shall be only too glad to examine it.
§ Mr. SnowThe Home Secretary says that it is a very small organisation. Does he not remember the time when Sir Oswald Mosley's skulduggery was stated to be very small? That led eventually to much disorder. This matter is very much in the minds of the people in the Midlands, where there has been a certain amount of activity by this organisation.
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir.