§ Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that large numbers of leaflets demanding immediate peace with Russia are being issued to Members of Parliament, and throughout the country, by a body describing themselves as the Council of Action; whether this council is in the nature of a self-nominated Soviet, which has for its object the overthrow of parliamentary and constitutional government by means of a general strike; whether he is aware that local committees of action are being formed throughout the country and in certain Government Departments; whether he can give the names of the persons forming the Central Council of Action, and state how they were appointed; and whether any Members of this House are members of such council?
§ Mr. SHORTTMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. The second is a matter for discussion rather than for any categorical statement. The reply to the third is in the affirmative, except as regards Government Departments. Some of the members of the Central Council were nominated by the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress, by the Executive Committee of the Labour party, and by the Parliamentary Labour party; the others were co-opted. I do not think I need enumerate their names, which are well known. Six of them are or were, Members of this House.