§ 41. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the reasons for granting a licence under the War Charities Act to the 18B (British) Aid Fund in Gray's Inn Road.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonA licence is not required but an appeal by a war charity for funds is unlawful unless the charity is registered or exempted from registration under the War Charities Act, 1940. The registration authority cannot refuse registration if application is made in the prescribed form, and certain conditions as to registration are satisfied. These conditions broadly, are that the war charity has a responsible committee, is conducted and administered in good faith, and that the requisite information has been furnished. The fund in question was granted a certificate of registration in September, 1942, by the London County Council, who are the registration authority concerned, and I understand that there is no reason to suppose that the requirements of the Act have not been complied with.
§ Mr. ManderWill my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of bringing the position of these persons to the attention of the Assistance Board and the public assistance committees?
§ Mr. MorrisonThey know they can apply to the Assistance Board and public assistance committees but if, as in similar cases of people who have suffered imprisonment or detention in relation to some political consideration, their friends like to come together and help the wife and children while a man is away, I should have thought it was a rather illiberal suggestion, either from my hon. Friend or from a Liberal newspaper, that there is something wrong about it.
§ Mr. DribergFlag-days for Fascists!