HC Deb 22 March 1950 vol 472 cc1945-6
28. Mrs. Eirene White

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will consider the case, of which particulars have been sent to him, where an officer commanding at a Royal Air Force station refused permission to a Parliamentary candidate, during an election, to address the wives of serving men living in married quarters; and what steps he proposes to take to see that this does not happen again.

Mr. Crawley

Permission was refused as it is contrary to long established practice to allow political meetings or canvassing within Service establishments.

Mrs. White

Will my hon. Friend ask his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air to reconsider this matter before the next election, and to bear in mind that these women are not Service personnel but ordinary civilian electors, living in their own homes? Will he remember that many of them have domestic responsibilities which make it difficult for them to go to public meetings, particularly as in the case mentioned the married quarters are at a considerable distance from the nearest school or public hall?

Mr. Crawley

I am sure that we all sympathise with the hon. Lady in wanting to get every possible vote, but this is a case where security must be considered. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] That really is so. It would be impossible to allow a lot of people on whom one could keep no possible check, to have free access to a Service station.

Mrs. White

Is my hon. Friend aware that other visitors are allowed to go to married quarters? There is no reason, to my simple mind, why a candidate should not be allowed in during an election?

Mr. Crawley

The occupants of married quarters are held responsible for people allowed in to visit them. That would not be the case here.

Miss Horsbrugh

Were these people allowed to come out of their married quarters, or were they incarcerated during the time of the election?