§ 27. Dr. Littleasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the strong opposition which has been aroused by the promulgation of the Order in Council which authorises the opening of wet canteens for war workers and members of the Auxiliary Services, where they are carrying out their duties, he will withdraw the Order, as such a controversy at the moment is calculated to interfere with our war effort, and, in addition, these canteens will lessen rather than increase production?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe grounds for the Regulation are given in my reply to a deputation from Members, which is published in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 4th December, and for the reasons there given it would not be possible to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion. Regulation 60AA is limited to civilian war workers and does not cover members of the Auxiliary Services, whose requirements would be met by Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes or other Service canteens.
§ Sir John MellorDoes not the opposition come mainly from people who are not directly concerned?
§ Mr. MorrisonI think that there is some truth in that. On the other hand, a number of public-spirited bodies have a very strong feeling on the matter, which they are entitled to express. I think that there has been some misunderstanding, 1658 and, if they study the report that I circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, I believe that many of these misunderstandings will be cleared up.
§ Mr. R. J. TaylorWhile what my right hon. Friend says may be correct, it is not correct to say that these expressions are coming only from public-spirited bodies, because parents are interested in the matter as well.