HC Deb 27 March 1952 vol 498 cc812-3
11. Mr. E. Thurtle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to a leaflet entitled "Civil Defence," published by the Peace Pledge Union; and as this leaflet is likely to cause a breach of the peace, what steps he proposes to take in respect of it.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I have seen this pamphlet. I am advised that its publication and circulation do not involve a breach of the law.

Mr. Thurtle

Is the Home Secretary aware that this leaflet is a shameful pacifist attack to persuade the people of this country that Civil Defence is of no use? May I ask him whether, in view of the security aspect of this matter, he will consider whether it is reasonable that these people, who refuse to take part in the defence of the country themselves, should be allowed to incite other people to do the same thing?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I am certainly prepared to go as far as to say again—which I think is the right way to deal with the point—that the suggestions in the pamphlet that nothing effective can be done in the face of atomic warfare are not only mischievous but entirely baseless and wrong. I have tried to indicate that in broadcasts and otherwise and although, as I have said, this does not involve a breach of the law, I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for drawing attention to the inaccuracies in the pamphlet.

Mr. James Hudson

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman take into account, when considering what is charged to be the damage of these statements, that they are nothing like so damaging as the statements of the supplementary questioner in frequent speeches he used to make in this House about the Army Bill?

Mr. F. P. Crowder

Will my right hon. and learned Friend consider instituting proceedings to have these persons prosecuted for causing a public mischief.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I am not a prosecuting authority.