§ 41. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will arrange that the League against Cruel Sports be allowed to participate in the Annual London Joint Animal Flag Day on future occasions.
§ Mr. EdeUnder the Street Collections Regulations the Commissioner of Police is responsible, with the assistance of an Advisory Committee, for deciding upon applications for permits for flag days, and I can find no reason for thinking that the discretion vested in him has not been properly exercised in this particular case.
§ Mr. FreemanDoes the Secretary of State recollect that the Committee which he himself set up to deal with this matter was in full agreement that the organisation should participate in this flag day distribution but that the recommendation of the Committee was over-ruled by the police themselves?
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir. I gather it was felt undesirable that a society whose objects are a matter of some public controversy should be included amongst those participating in this particular flag day.
§ Mr. FreemanIs it not a fact that the Committee was unanimously in favour of allowing this organisation to participate?
§ Mr. EdeI do not think that that is the case but if my hon. Friend has any information on the matter and will put down a Question I will have the subject specifically investigated.