HC Deb 01 November 1920 vol 134 cc95-6W
Mr. MALONE

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Sir Basil Thompson has confiscated documents, photographs, etc., belonging to Mr. William McLaine, of the Communist party, who recently returned to this country from Russia; and what was his reason for retaining a copy of the Communiste Internationale in view of the fact that hundreds are in circulation in this country?

Mr. SHORTT

A great mass of photographs and documents containing Bolshevik propaganda were taken from McLaine on landing, and have been examined by Sir Basil Thomson. The examination has taken some time, as many of the documents were in Russian. The photographs and most of the papers have been returned to McLaine, but those which definitely contravene the law by advocating the use of violence for political purposes have been retained.