§ 22. Major Milnerasked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that meetings have been promoted in the City of Leeds under the auspices of his Ministry for a Conservative speaker, after consultation with the Leeds Conservative Association alone, and without reference to, or approval by, the local information committee; whether such meetings were at the expense of public funds and whether this political preference had his approval?
Mr. CooperThe two meetings to which the hon. and gallant Member appears to be referring were recently held in N.E. Leeds, when, owing to the shortness of notice, it was impossible to consult the local information committee. The clubs of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal parties were, however, asked to assist. At the first of the two meetings, although the Labour party found it impossible to be represented, there were two members of the Liberal party on the platform. At the second meeting the chair was taken by a member of the Liberal party, and the vote of thanks was seconded by a member of the Labour party. The only expenditure involved was a small amount on a Press advertisement, and a few handbills and invitation cards. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that there is no desire to show political preference in arranging these meetings, although it is not always possible to assure that all parties shall be equally represented.
§ Major MilnerIs it not a fact that the meetings were arranged at the request of the local Conservative Association, and what was the difficulty in communicating with the local Labour party?
Mr. CooperThe hon. Member for the constituency gave short notice that he was going to be in the constituency on that day, and the local information committee could not be convened in time to be consulted; and so the meetings officer of the Regional information office got on to the three clubs of the three parties and did his best to arrange matters.
§ Major MilnerAre we to understand that any local Member of Parliament may, by arrangement with the local office of the Ministry, have meetings arranged in a constituency at the expense of the Ministry of Information?
Mr. CooperIf a Member of Parliament wants to arrange an all-party meeting, the machinery of the Ministry of Information will be put at his disposal to assist him to do so.
§ Major MilnerIs it not a fact that this was not an all-party meeting, that no steps were taken to make it an all-party meeting, and that, no communication having been sent to the local Labour party, only the Conservative Association was consulted?
Mr. CooperThe local Labour and Liberal clubs were consulted, and both parties were represented at one of the meetings.