§ 28. Mr. LEES-SMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Secretary of State for War has refused a request to receive a deputation on Regulation 40D of the Defence of the Realm Acts from a combined body of fifty-six social, religious, political, and industrial organisations representing over a million members; and, if so, whether he will state why he has refused this request?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The request was refused for the reasons stated in reply to a question by my hon. Friend on the 16th April last.
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHMay I ask whether that does not refer to the Criminal Law Amendment Bill; whether he is aware that these organisations wish to bring before him information which they have collected in the last few months; whether he will take into account the fact that they are not represented on the Conference at the War Office and that this penalty falls on the women alone; and whether he will ask the Secretary of State for War if he will consider this matter again?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not think the matter can be reconsidered.