§ 30. Mr. Glenvil Hallasked the Home Secretary whether Miss Mary Allen still represents the Women's Auxiliary Service on the Advisory Council of Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence, set up under the auspices of his Department?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am informed that, when Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence came into being two years ago at the request of my predecessor in office, the Women's Auxiliary Service was one of a large number of voluntary organisations invited to be represented on the Advisory Council. I understand that this organisation has, in fact, been represented on a number of occasions in the past by Miss Mary Allen, but that neither she nor any other representative of the Women's Auxiliary Service has attended a meeting of the Council since January last.
§ Mr. HallMay I take it from that answer that this lady will not be asked to further meetings and that she is to be interned, in view of the facts that she has boasted openly that she is a Fascist and proud of it, and that she is now living on the coast?
§ Sir J. AndersonQuestions relating to individuals had much better be put on the Paper.
§ Mr. HallDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that he has answered the Question? I want to know whether this lady is still able to attend these meetings when she so desires?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe position is that organisations which were invited to be represented on the Central Council were left to choose their own representatives on the occasion of a particular meeting. I think it will be found that I have answered the Question on the Paper. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] The supplementary question relates to a different matter altogether.
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member had better put a further question on the Paper.
§ Mr. MacleanThe question asked of the right hon. Gentleman was whether this lady was still permitted to attend these meetings. That question has not been answered, and I suggest that the House is anxious to know the answer.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe question should be put upon the Paper.
§ At the end of Questions—
§ Mr. Glenvil HallMr. Speaker, may I ask for your guidance? It will be recollected that during Question Time, I put a Question to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, asking him whether Miss Mary Allen still represents the Women's Auxiliary Service on the Advisory Council of Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence. He told me, in effect, that neither she nor any other representative of that organisation had attended any recent meetings. May I put it to you that that is not a reply to my Question; and, as this lady publicly announces that she is a Fascist, and as this is a Government Department dealing with Civil Defence, may I ask you whether, if I put a Question down again to the Home Secretary, you will instruct the Clerk at the Table to pass it?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member had better put the Question down in a different form. An answer was given to the Question on the Paper, although it did not satisfy the hon. Member.