HC Deb 09 March 1939 vol 344 c2342
60. Mr. Mander

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of setting up a committee to conduct an inquiry with a view to securing that equal opportunity shall be given to the freedom of expression of political opinion in posters to the Opposition as well as to supporters of the Government?

Sir S. Hoare

The law of this country gives equal freedom to the expression of all forms of political opinion, whether by posters or otherwise; and I am not aware of anything into which a committee could inquire.

Mr. Mander

Has the attention of the Home Secretary been called to the action of the censorship committee of the British Poster Advertising Association, controlling 90 per cent. of the hoardings, in refusing, in effect on political grounds, to permit posters of the Spain emergency committee of the International Peace Campaign to be shown? I have a copy of the poster here.

Sir S. Hoare

I am not aware officially of those facts, and in any case I have no responsibility.