§ 61. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a public body, the Corporation of the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Science, have been refusing to let the hall on political grounds; and whether he will take steps by legislation, or otherwise, to see that equal opportunity is given to all citizens to make use of this building for their meetings?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Simon)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but in any case the proprietors of the Albert Hall have a discretion as to the letting of the premises, and I have no jurisdiction to intervene in the exercise of that discretion.
§ Mr. MANDERDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it very improper for a body of this description to exercise political discrimination in the letting of the hall?