§ 27. Mr. COWANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a notice issued last week to all householders in certain inland parishes of East Sussex by the Uckfield District Emergency Committee, instructing the recipients to be prepared, in the event of invasion by Germany on the southern coast, when ordered so to do by the military authorities, to move in a certain direction, and specifying the articles which such persons are to take with them, and ordering the destruction, in such circumstances, of stock, pigs and forage; whether 353 his attention has been called to a further document, delivered by special constables after an interval of a few hours, to all residents in the same area, giving minute and individual instructions as to route and additional details as to food and other supplies to be carried by such refugees; whether no such notices have been issued to the inhabitants of similarly situated parishes in adjoining Parliamentary divisions; whether the Uckfield Emergency Committee has acted in this matter under the directions of the War Office or of the military authorities; and, if not, whether, having regard to the desirability of avoiding unnecessary alarm, he will take steps to restrain local emergency committees from taking such action unless and until ordered to do so by a competent superior authority?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe issue of notices such as those referred to is not contrary to the instructions issued by the Home Office to emergency committees, and what has been done by the Uckfield District Emergency Committee has presumably been merely for the purpose of instructing the inhabitants as to their duties in the event of invasion. The responsibility of the military authorities is limited to assuring themselves that the proposed action would not interfere with military operations. I am not aware what action has been taken in the adjoining parishes. Every precaution is taken to prevent alarm being caused, by due preparation for action, which it might be desirable to take on emergency.
§ Mr. COWANDocs the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the issue of notices of this alarming character is left entirely to the discretion of these emergency committees in out of the way parts of the country, and is it desirable that there should be no uniformity in such matters? I can speak from personal knowledge. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]
§ Mr. TENNANTPerhaps my hon. Friend will be so kind as to let me see a copy of the alarming document.