Mr. POINTERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the last meeting of the Cardiff Trades Council had to be held in other premises than those of the local Labour Exchange because of a certain item appearing on the agenda for the meeting; whether he is aware that the superintendent of the exchange drew the trade council secretary's attention to the item, which was Military in Ambush, and pointed out that it was not a proper subject to be discussed in a Government building, and that he proposed that either the item in question be deleted from the agenda or the council should meet elsewhere; whether he is aware that the council held its meeting elsewhere; and whether his Department has sanctioned the policy of limiting freedom of discussion at meetings held in Labour Exchange buildings, and thus discourage trades councils and other local workmen's associations from using the buildings as a place of meeting?
Mr. BUXTONThe facts of the case appear to be as stated by my hon. Friend. In view of the great importance of observing the impartiality of Labour Exchanges it appears to me that the Divisional Officer for Wales exercised a wise discretion in the circumstances, though I regret any inconvenience thereby caused to the Cardiff Trades Council.