MONEY FROM RUSSIA

Evening Star, Issue 19890, 12 June 1928, Page 5

MONEY FROM RUSSIA

DISCLOSURE IN COMMONS THE CHAHNEL DISCOVERED (British Official Wireless.) Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyricht. RUGBY. June 11.' (Received June 12, at noon.) Tho Homo Secretary stated in the House of Commons to-day that inquiries had brought to light two series of transactions which wore undoubtedly a channel through which Russian money was supplied to tho British Communist organisation during the poiiod fiom July, 1927. to April, 1925. One series of the transactions was carried out by a clerk in tho Foreign Exchange Department of the Moscow Marodny Bank named W. B. Duncan. Some of these transactions were known to the directors of the bank. As a. result ol an inquiry on April 20, the clerk concerned was dismissed from the bank. The total sums involved in those transactions from July to April amounted to £14,202. In a number of other transactions two other men were concerned. The total sum involved between July 5, 1927, and April 20, 1928, was at least £13.790. These two men wore called before the board of the bank, and being unable to give a satisfactory explanation of their transactions were dismissed. Between the three persons, the total sum of not loss than £27,998 was disbursed during the period from Jnlv. 1927. to April 20, 1928. The directors of the Moscow Narodny Bank disclaimed all knowledge of the transactions, and had dismissed further members of the staff implicated in tho matter. Mr .L H. Thomas: “Docs the fact of three persons being in receipt of money constitute an illegal act.? Fir W. Joynson -Hicks: “1 will have to take legal advice.” Mr Thomn.s: “If the action is illegal will you in the interests of tho State take tho necessary steps)'” Sir Joynson-llicks : “H the legal advisers are of tho opinion that money coming in is a crime, 1 will take proceeding.l?.” Mr Maxton ; “Will you daro investigate tho funds of the party of which I am chairman?”

Sir Joynson Hicks; “if 1 think it desirable 1 will dare anything.” (Laughter.) Air Maxion (angrily): “Do you assert that you arc above the law of the laud?”

Sir Jaynson-Hicks: “1 realise that 1. must act within tho law, but 1 am nut afraid of you.”