HC Deb 25 May 1944 vol 400 cc918-9
33. Wing-Commander James

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department from whom permission has to be obtained to hold flag days in London; and what organisations were allowed to appeal for funds upon the recent Animal Day.

Mr. H. Morrison

Permission to make street collections in London must be obtained from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan or City Police, as the case may be. A permit was given to the Joint Animal Flag Day Committee for a street collection in the Metropolitan Police District on 16th instant. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the organisations on whose behalf the application was made.

Wing-Commander James

Is it not a fact that most of these societies are extremely wealthy, and, in the case of anti-vivisection societies, anti-social; and will the right hon. Gentleman not consider whether, in future, these flag days should be limited to genuine and deserving charities?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think there can be any question that in general these bodies are genuine charities. As far as I know, most of them are fairly well placed financially, and I do not think that they would avail themselves of flag days if they could avoid it. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Well, I do not think they would arrange flag days unnecessarily. I do not want to exercise any discrimination; I can only say that flag days are becoming rather numerous, and that a little restraint would be all to the good.

Wing-Commander James

If I put down a Question, will the right hon. Gentleman publish the funds of the societies which were concerned in this flag day?

Mr. Morrison

I am not sure that I would know, but if I have got the information I will consider giving it.

The organisations are as follow:

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