§ 39. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on whose authority the police instructed youths to remove the Labour Party ties they were wearing when attending the May Day demonstration in Malta on 1st May, 1960.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am making further inquiries into this incident and will communicate with the hon. Member.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was there on 1st May and saw these Labour Party ties being removed from boys in the City Square? [Laughter.] While hon. Members on the other side may laugh, is it not time that these "Animal Farm" stupidities were ended under the dictatorship in Malta, where they bring ridicule on the Government even in the minds of the children?
§ Mr. MacleodIt is a splendid tie. I cannot remember of which school tie it is a copy, but it is an excellent tie. I should like to look closely at this. The wearing of political uniforms is subject to an ordinance, and we all know that in this country and in other countries the wearing of shirts, for example, can obviously come within the definition of a political uniform; but I think that to apply that to ties would be taking it a little far.