QUESTIONS IN HOUSE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 9

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE

LABOUR MUCH CONCERNED

HOME SECRETARY REPLIES

(A.P.A. and "Sun.") (Received 14th May, 11 a.m.)

LONDON, 13th May. in the House of Commons, as soon as the Speaker took the chair, Mr Arthur- Henderson' (Lab.) asked if Arcos was raided with the Home See-' retaray's authority and for what reason.

Sir W.. Joynson-Hicks, Homo Secretary, said that as tlio result of inlormation given him on Wednesday he authorised the application of a search warrant, tho execution of which was progressing. He could not give any further information yet. Mr. Honderson: "Will you on Monday? You must recognise that the House as a whole regards the action as a serious matter. It is of public importance, and should not stand over too long." Sir \V. Joynson-Hicks: '.'The polico uro still in possession and the search is going on. I will give any possiblo information ou Monday." Commander Kenworthy (Lab.): You have not answered whother the Soviet Trade Delegation was raided, or -whether the head of it had written claiming diplomatic immunity or whother tho raid was ordered after consultation with Cabinet.' ' A VISIT TO LABOUR. Sir W. Joynsou-Hieks: "1 could not say what was the exact portion of tho building occupied by the Trade Delegation. The decision for tho raid rested with the Secretary of State as an ordinary police' matter, not with tho Cabinet." Mr. K. Hudson (Con.): "Is it true that tho Russian Charge d'Affaires camo to the Whips' Office instead of ! going to tho Foreign Office t" Mr. Hendorson said if was true that the Charge d'Affaires consulted him, and he had done everything he possibly could before ho went to get the judgment of tho Foreign Secretary. Mr. Hudson: "Was uot the visit of the Charge d'Affaires to consult the Labour Executive a gross breach of diplomatic etiquette?" ,The Home Secretary: "That question should be addressed to Sir Austen Chamberlain."

Colonol Honoage (Cj.): "Is it not clear from the Opposition questions that tho Labour Party is friends to any country oxcept their own?'' Sir J. 11. Davidson (C): "Was not the British Embassy in 'St. Petersburg milled in 1918 and no compensation had yet been paid?"

Mr. E. Thurtlo (Lab.): "Is Sir William Joynson-Hieks aware that two sepnrato organisations occupy tho Arcos Building, one of which is diplomatically immune. Did you authoriso tho search of both?"

Sir .T. H. Davidson: "Is the Home Secretary aware that nobody knows where the Third International ends and tho Soviet begins?" The' Home Secretary said that he could not further discuss the matter till Monday.