§ MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the sergeant instructor who has the letting of the drill hall, Willenhall, has refused to let the same for the use of a Labour and Socialist meeting, although the same building has been let for Liberal and Conservative meetings; whether this building is in any way kept up by public money; and, if so, whether he will take action to remove disabilities which in this case prevent Labour men and Socialists from the exercise of their citizen rights.
MR. T. F. RICHARDSTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Colonel Waterhouse, magistrates' clerk, refused the use of the drill hall, Wolverhampton, to the free trade candidate, but let the same to the tarift reform candidate; whether this building is in any way a public or semi-public building; and, if so, whether his Department will advise local public servants 395 that equal opportunities for the use of these buildings shall be granted to all applicants on equal terms and conditions irrespective of party politics.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) In reply to these Questions, I have called for reports from the general commanding officer concerned.