11. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Home Secretary whether he would consult with the Secretary of State for War, the Secretary of State for Air and the First Lord of the Admiralty, with a view to coming to an agreement on a time beyond which dancing in public places would not be permissible for members of His Majesty's Forces and civilians alike, in view of the fact that at present the hour fixed by the chief constable in each county varies between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.; and, having regard to the exigencies of training, fix midnight as the hour throughout the whole country?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have consulted my right hon. Friends who are responsible for the Service Departments, and I am informed that they see no necessity for the fixing of any uniform latest hour for dances throughout the country, since the matter appears to them to be one to be determined in the light of local circumstances and I see no reason to intervene in the matter.
Mr. De la BèreDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that in my constituency they are not allowed to go on till midnight, whereas just over the border, in Gloucestershire, they are allowed to go on well after midnight? Does it not seem rather unequal that Worcestershire should have this restriction which is not applied in Gloucestershire?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am a little surprised at the hon. Member's enthusiasm for dull uniformity throughout the country. I should have thought a little variety and individuality would be preferable.
Mr. De la BèreI always thought the right hon. Gentleman stood for equality. He seems to have changed.
§ Mr. MorrisonI have stood also for the proper development of the individual.