§ 18. Mr. T. GRIFFITHSasked whether the action of the military authorities in Wales in securing the services of the Chief Constable of Monmouthshire to obtain the names and addresses of secretaries of trade union branches in the district has been approved by him?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo communication expressing either approval or disapproval has been issued, but as I informed the hon. Member last Monday week, I do not propose to pursue the matter.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chief Constable has been severely criticised by the county council for his action, and will he see that no such action will be taken without the sanction of the War Office in the future?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir; I am not prepared to take any special action in this case. I do not consider that I should intervene one way or the other.
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this has a tendency to create industrial unrest?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf people are going to get unrestful over a matter of this kind they must be looking about very far and wide for it.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSWill he allow people to make inquiries on his behalf?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have already dealt with the merits of the question and I do not intend to take any steps one way or the other.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs I understand it, the local command thought it was a good thing for them to know the names and addresses of these men in case they wished to get into touch with there. They made this inquiry, which was unique, and not in the least derived from any general direction. I am not going to say they were wrong any more than I am going to say they were right.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA desirable course.