Film "end of ST. Petersburg."

Oral Answers to Questions — Education. – in the House of Commons at on 4 February 1929.

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Photo of Sir Robert Thomas Sir Robert Thomas , Anglesey

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at the New Gallery Cinema, Regent Street, yesterday, the Film Society presented a film entitled "The End of St. Petersburg," a Russian picture commissioned for propaganda purposes in connection with the tenth anniversary of the Russian Revolution; whether the words, during the presentation of the film, "All power to the Soviet" appear; whether these words were cheered and the National Anthem was hissed during the presentation; and whether he proposes to take any action?

Photo of Mr Campbell Stephen Mr Campbell Stephen , Glasgow Camlachie

On a point of Order. I would like to ask what urgency there is in regard to this matter?

Photo of Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy , Daventry

The question of urgency must rest with me.

Photo of Mr William Joynson-Hicks Mr William Joynson-Hicks , Twickenham

I have been at my office all the morning, but I have not received the hon. Member's question. If he will put it down for Thursday, I will let him have an answer.

Photo of Sir Robert Thomas Sir Robert Thomas , Anglesey

I must apologise to the right hon. Gentleman. I had not very much time in which to send the information to him. I got the information only this morning. I sent the question to him this morning, to his office in the House.

Photo of Mr Campbell Stephen Mr Campbell Stephen , Glasgow Camlachie

Does not the answer of the Home Secretary not show that there was no urgency with regard to this matter?

Photo of Mr William Joynson-Hicks Mr William Joynson-Hicks , Twickenham

Perhaps I ought to explain that I have not been upstairs to my room in the House. I left the Home Office only at five minutes past three to come to the House.

Photo of Sir Robert Thomas Sir Robert Thomas , Anglesey

May I respectfully give notice that I will ask the same question of the right hon. Gentleman tomorrow?

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

Why was not the right hon. Gentleman informed of these terrible happenings? Why did he not know all about it before he left London? Why was he not informed that this terrible film was brought into the country? What is his detective service doing?

Mr. MACOUISTEN:

Is the reason for that, that the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) did not tell the right hon. Gentleman about its coming? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that a film of this kind is likely to do more harm than arises from a club being open alittle late?

Photo of Mr William Joynson-Hicks Mr William Joynson-Hicks , Twickenham

I think I shall be prepared to deal with all these questions if hon. Members put them to me at the proper time.

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have no knowledge of the matter?

Photo of Mr George Lansbury Mr George Lansbury , Poplar Bow and Bromley

Is it in order for this question to be asked again tomorrow? Ought it not to come on again in the ordinary course?

Photo of Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy , Daventry

I seem to have made a mistake as regards the urgency in this question, and therefore it had better be put down on the Order Paper.