§ 58. Lieut.-Colonel Heneageasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that foreign imported poppies have been recently sent to this country; whether he will take steps to prevent their sale by street sellers on the days allotted for the sale of Flanders poppies; and whether he is taking any other steps in this matter?
§ Sir S. HoareI have seen reports in the Press of an allegation that one of a consignment of seven cases of artificial flowers landed at Grimsby last week broke open and was found to contain Flanders poppies. As my hon. and gallant Friend will no doubt be aware, this allegation has since been denied by the consignee. In areas where the police authority has made street collection regulations, a permit from the authority is required for the sale of poppies in the streets, and persons making such sales without a permit render themselves liable to proceedings.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HeneageWill the right hon. Gentleman make public what he has said so that people when they buy a Flanders poppy from the British Legion will know that their money is going to the right place?
§ Sir S. HoareI do not think I can make it more public than I have. I understand that British Legion poppies are marked with a special mark, and purchasers will do well to make sure that this mark is on the poppies they buy.