§ 17. Mr. TAYLORasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that town clerks are receiving letters marked secret, stating that it has been decided that an organisation for maintaining essential services during a national emergency should be set up by His Majesty's Government and that town clerks are being interviewed and asked to accept posts or recommend persons for posts in such an organisation; and whether the Cabinet have authorised any person or persons to send such communications or to interview town clerks in connection with any new organisation for maintaining essential services?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSFor several years there has been in existence under successive Governments an organisation for maintaining essential services during a national emergency. Recently steps have been taken to overhaul and complete this organisation, and no doubt the communications to which the hon. Member refers have been made by the local representatives of the Government Departments concerned in connection with these steps which have been authorised by the Government. A circular to local authorities generally, describing the organisation, has been prepared and I anticipate will toe issued and published within the next few days.
§ Mr. TAYLORWhy is it necessary to send communications marked "secret," and enclosed in a second envelope? Why is it necessary to send people on secret missions of this kind? If it is the duty of the Government to make provision of the kind, surely the right hon. Gentleman will agree that it should be done publicly?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am inclined to agree with the hon. Gentleman. When I came into office I found that this organisation had always been treated by previous Governments, including the last one, as secret, as one which should not be talked about. From the first I decided that it was only right that as soon as possible that information should be given. That information will be issued in a few days.
§ Mr. TAYLORAre these full-time officers of the Government, and not men engaged in other work?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not know exactly what officers they are who have sent the letters. There are certain full-time officers of the Government engaged in the matter, and there are volunteers.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThe last Government publicly announced the names of the divisional officers, and they never sent out any document marked "Secret" in this way.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe right hon. and gallant Gentleman is not dealing with the question. I think the question was, not whether the documents marked "Secret" were issued by the Government—
§ HON. MEMBERS: That is the question!
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have made inquiry, and I believe it has been done by officers in the localities, but not by myself. As I have said, very shortly I shall issue a full statement, and if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman would like the names of the officers corresponding to those in the last Government, I will let him have them.
§ Mr. LANSBURYAre part of the instructions that have been given to the local authorities that they are to go to individuals and compel them to enlist in the special constabulary?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere is not the slightest truth in that.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIf I give the right hon. Gentleman the information—
§ 45. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the so-called organisation for the maintenance of supplies; and whether he proposes to give Parliament an opportunity to debate the subject?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have been asked to reply. This Government, as did others, recognise that it is their duty to take steps to ensure the necessary supplies for maintaining essential services in an emergency, and they have prepared plans for carrying out this duty. If, however, any unofficial organisation is in a position to prepare classified lists of persons willing to render help in an emer- 555 gency, and if such organisation is prepared to place such lists at the disposal of the public authorities when required, the Government welcome such assistance. Arrangements will be made through the usual channels for the discussion as far as possible of the various questions desired by the House, within the limits of time available.
§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHYThat is no answer to my question. With great respect to you, Mr. Speaker, and to the Minister, I ask what was the attitude of the Government towards the so-called organisation for the maintenance of supplies—I understand it is called shortly the O.M.S.—and what is the attitude of the Government towards that organisation?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have already replied that if any unofficial organisation—which includes the organisation referred to by the hon. and gallant Gentleman—is prepared to help the Government in an emergency, the Government would welcome any such assistance.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this society claims to carry on the services, in other words, to do the Government's work, and proposes to go far beyond collecting lists?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman might leave me to deal with any organisation which attempts to usurp the functions of the Government.
§ Mr. LAWSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that this attitude on the part of the Government will help the cause of industrial peace?