TROTSKY’S REQUEST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 19 July 1929, Page 5

TROTSKY’S REQUEST

REASONS FOR GOVERNMENT'S REFUSAL ' ■■• (Official Wireless) : : < RUGBY, 18th July. ' The Home Secretary, Mr Clynes, -replying in the House of Commons ■to questions respecting the terms of request of Trotsky when ihe asked to be permitted to land in this country, said Trotsky based his application hn his des'ire, to undergo medical • treatment, follow scientific studies, and superintend the publication of his autobiography. Assurances were o offered on his behalf that if admitted he would not interfere with the domestic affairs of this country or take part in.. any public meetings or seek to make himself prominent in any way. No communication on the subject of his application had been received from , the Soviet Government. The decision of the British Government to refuse facilities for visit was taken after the fullest consideration of all the circumstances. In the Government's view, if Trotsky were to come here persons of mischievous, intentions would unques; tioiiably seek to exploit his presence for their own ends, and if in consequence he became a source 6f grave embarrassment the Government would have no certainty of being able to secure his departure. SCHOOL AGE The Education Minister, Sir C. Trei, velyan, announced that th e Government had carefully considered the most suiti able date for raising the school-leaving age of children to 15. After weighing all the circumstances it had decided to prepare the necessary legislation to raise the school age as from Ist April, 1931,; He was at once asking representatives of local education authorities and fessional bodies to meet him with ■& view to consultation and co-operation.'