HC Deb 30 July 1941 vol 373 cc1388-9
26. Sir Percy Hurd

asked the Minister of Information why he is using his regional organisation at the request of the Ministry of Food to set housewives and his local committees throughout the country to watch shopkeepers and report any suspicions they may entertain; and whether he will leave the public to use the accepted means of ventilating grievances and securing redress through elected local bodies or elected Parliamentary representatives?

Mr. Bracken

On no occasion has the Ministry of Information been requested to set its regional organisation at the disposal of the Ministry of Food for the purpose mentioned by my hon. Friend, nor has the organisation been so used.

Sir P. Hurd

Has not the Minister seen a detailed statement with the very text of the communication sent to headquarters? Is he aware that, in April last, a similar official reply was made from that Box about a similar investigation, and that it was proved afterwards that the denial was quite untrue?

Mr. Bracken

I have not seen the document my hon. Friend mentions.

Sir P. Hurd

Will the Minister be so kind as to make inquiries into this whole section of the Ministry to. see whether the same ends could not be obtained by elected local representatives and elected Members of Parliament?

Mr. Bracken

I should certainly be glad to make inquiry into all these matters, and, if there is anything wrong, to put it right.

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Will my right hon. Friend not do a great public service by abolishing this regional organisation altogether?

Mr. Bracken

I must know more about the Ministry.