Meetings (Attendance)

Oral Answers to Questions — Prisoners of War – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 8 July 1947.

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Photo of Mr Henry Hynd Mr Henry Hynd , Hackney Central 12:00, 8 July 1947

asked the Secretary of State for War whether camp regulations permit German prisoners of war at' Victoria Park to attend the weekly Fascist meetings held at the gate of that park.

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

There are no regulations forbidding prisoners of war to attend any public meetings which may be held in parks during their off-duty hours.

Photo of Mr Henry Hynd Mr Henry Hynd , Hackney Central

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that his very excellent efforts to educate these German prisoners of war into the British way of life are being frustrated by allowing them to attend such meetings?

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

I should have thought that part of the education into the British way of life was to allow free speech, and to permit them to attend all meetings. I can only hope that their powers of discrimination will enable them to go along to more appropriate meetings.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.