§ 23. Mr. TINKERasked the Attorney-General how many protests he has received from local authorities against the passing into law of the Incitement to Disaffection Bill; whether he has considered the protests from Leigh Town Council, Atherton Urban District Council, and Tyldesley Urban District Council; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALNineteen resolutions of protest have been addressed to me. Resolutions have been received from the Atherton and Tyldesley Urban District Councils, but no resolution has reached me from the Leigh Urban District Council. The resolutions are all in substantially the same form alleging that the Bill facilitates attack on opinions with which the Government of the day disagrees, and enables a Government so desiring to suppress all activities whose aim is the prevention of war. I need hardly say that these allegatons are based on a complete misunderstanding of the scope of the Bill.
§ Mr. TINKERIn view of the widespread indignation that is felt, will not the Government consider withdrawing the Bill? There is no need for it at all.
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALNo, Sir.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSHow many people who sent in resolutions added the statement that they had read the Bill?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think that freedom of speech and freedom of the Press is a safety valve, and is it not a fact that we have had no trouble, as other countries have had, while passing through this very depressing time?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALYes, and it is the Government's business to see that we do not have any trouble in the future.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODHas there been any trouble to give justification for the bringing in of the Bill?
§ Mr. THORNEIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that there is a law on the Statute Book which gives Ministers all the power that they want? That is the law that got the late William Cobbett down; he was sentenced to two years and fined £1,000.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSAre not the Government much too successful in avoiding trouble to please the Opposition?