§ 81. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a meeting, held at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, on 15th November, organised by or on behalf of Sir Oswald Mosley; whether he is aware that it is the intention of Sir Oswald Mosley to re-form a Fascist movement in Great Britain; and, as there is reasonable ground for believing that force will be used or displayed in promoting the political objects of this organisation, if he will now take action under Section 2 (1) (b) of the Public Order Act, 1936, to ban this movement.
§ Mr. YoungerMy right hon. Friend has seen reports in the Press of the meeting referred to at which Sir Oswald Mosley is alleged to have announced his intention to consider the formation of a political movement. The Section referred to confers no power on my right hon. Friend to ban any organisation, but if any association is organised and trained or organised and equipped so as to bring it within the mischief aimed at by that Section, I have no doubt that the question of prosecution would be considered by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.
§ 84. Mr. Piratinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of his announcement that he would not hesitate to take action against any revival of the British Union of Fascists or similar body, what steps he intends to take to prevent the revival by Sir Oswald Mosley of his movement, which was arranged at a meeting held on 15th November last.
§ Mr. YoungerI understand that the reference is to a statement made by the then Home Secretary in 1943 with regard to the use of wartime powers given by Defence Regulations. These are no longer in existence. My right hon. Friend208W keeps a close watch on subversive movements of every kind and if it should prove that the existing law is inadequate to deal with any unconstitutional activities which represent a serious menace he will not hesitate to ask Parliament to arm him with further powers.