HC Deb 05 June 1945 vol 411 c726W
Mr. I. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the end of the war in Europe and the need for re-establishing democratic forms throughout the whole of Italy, he will take steps to ensure that political leaders who make speeches are not arrested by the Allied Military Government.

Sir J. Grigg

Allied Military Government is responsible for the maintenance of order in areas under its control, and I am satisfied that the provision that political meetings in those areas require its prior consent is reasonable and does not conflict with re-establishment of democracy in Italy. I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the arrest of Signor Nenni. He will be aware from the answer I gave the hon. Members for West Leyton (Mr. Sorenson) and Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) on 30th May that Signor Nenni was arrested because he deliberately disregarded the above provision.