HC Deb 01 August 1940 vol 363 cc1400-1
48. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Prime Minister the number and description of committees who are advising various Ministers on measures involving interference with the liberty of the subject, and/or the rights of property; and whether he will circulate a list of the members of such committees?

Mr. Attlee

No, Sir. I am not prepared to circulate a list on the lines proposed. As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 4th June, the Home Policy Committee, of which I am Chairman, is responsible for the framing of draft legislation and of Regulations and Orders concerned with matters which in normal times would be dealt with by Bill.

Mr. Kirkwood

Would it not be better to circulate the names of those committees and the people who are on them, in order to disabuse the minds of people in this country against the idea that private property is getting special consideration against the interests of the workers?

Mr. Attlee

The hon. Member has repeated his Question; my answer still is that it would not be desirable to circulate such a list.

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the Minister aware that there is very strong feeling about this?

Forward to