49. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Prime Minister whether it was with his sanction and authority that the Director-General of the Festival of Britain issued a statement associating the Festival with the International Women's Day Committee.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have been asked to reply. It was not with my sanction and authority that the Director-General of the Festival issued this particular statement, and it would not have been issued had he then been aware that this formerly non-party body had come under Communist influence.
Mr. Baker WhiteTo avoid any mistakes of this kind in future will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that the powers of the Director-General are limited, because there are a large number of such bodies seeking support from reputable people?
§ Mr. MorrisonI think the lesson has been learnt, and we had better keep in mind that reputable Members from both sides of the House can be led up the garden by these bodies.