44. Mr. MACDONALDasked the Home Secretary whether Regulation 27c affect's the issue of addresses by Parliamentary 1631 candidates and Members in their constituencies; and whether he will give an assurance that candidates and Members will have no obstacles put in their way in putting their views before their constituencies in leaflet or any other recognised form?
§ Sir G. CAVEIt is not intended that these addresses should be interfered with by the Regulation in question, and I will endeavour to make this clear by a direction to the Press Bureau, or in some other way.
Mr. MACDONALDWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what authority he has to make that exception under the Regulations?
§ Sir G. CAVEI do not propose to make any exception. I do not think they would cover this case, and I will endeavour to make that clear.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that any published address to electors, against the War, is a leaflet which is not a leaflet, within the meaning of the Regulation?
§ Sir G. CAVEOf course, it depends on the particular facts of the case. It is not convenient that I should be asked for a reply to a general question of that kind about the meaning of the Regulations, which hon. Members can interpret themselves. All that I desire to say is that we do not desire to interfere with electoral activities.