asked the Prime Minister whether he will permit the ringing of church bells on Christmas morning?

This matter is under consideration.

In view of the fact that in many parts of the country the bells were not heard at all, and therefore will be useless as an invasion signal, will my right hon. Friend reconsider the whole position with a view to allowing the bells to be rung regularly on Sundays?

I do not quite understand the point. My hon. Friend says the bells were not heard.

May I make it plain that in some parts of the country the bells were not heard at all? Therefore they are no use as an invasion signal. Why not use sirens as an invasion signal and allow the bells to be rung for the purposes for which they were intended?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how soon the consideration is likely to be completed?

I cannot say.

Would the bells be rung if the death of Hitler was announced?