§ 49. Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement as to the restrictions or changes, as a result of the Armistice, which have been, or will be, effected in the activities of the War Aims Committee; and whether he will assure the House that the War Aims Committee will not be used in the electioneering campaign of the General Election?
§ 81. Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether money is to be provided for the activities of the War Aims Committee and the Propaganda Department during the General Election; and whether he will state what is now the position of their agents and speakers?
§ Colonel SANDERS (Treasurer of the Household)The following letter was sent to all War Aims Committees on the 4th instant:
The committee have decided that in the event of a General Election taking place, they will be compelled to suspend all war aims work for the time being.… Directly an official announcement is made, all engagements entered into will be automatically cancelled.It has also been decided to suspend all meetings and publications during the period of the Armistice, with these exceptions, for which arrangements had been made: The illustrated supplements circulated by a number of provincial newspapers will be continued for two weeks. There will also be another issue of "Reality." All arrangements having already been made for a number of trades unionist members to visit the Western Front, these will be carried out.
§ Mr. KINGMay we be assured that not only the publication of leaflets but their issue to the public will be stopped, so that they will not be used for electioneering purposes by party candidates?
§ Colonel SANDERSYes, certainly; they are being told to close the whole thing down.