§ 50. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to publish the evidence on which he based his decision that the School of Planning and Regional Research Development was under Communist influence; and state what illegal activities it fostered.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeIt would be against the public interest to publish the detailed information on which the conclusion was reached that this body was under Communist influence. I am not aware that any of the activities which it fostered were illegal.
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§ 53. Mr. Wadeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds delegates were advised not to attend a conference of the Association for Regional Planning and Development.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on 25th October and to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State in the Adjournment debate on 7th November.
§ 70. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if, in the light of the recent case involving the conference sponsored by the Association for Regional Planning and Development, he will review the whole policy over the banning by the Government of individuals or institutions as Communist and, if necessary, cause an inquiry to be made into the methods by which advice is given to Government servants about suspect organisations and individuals restrained from taking part in activities which may be undesirable but are not illegal.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeNo such review or inquiry seems to me necessary. It is the duty of any Government in the light of the information available to them to take such action as they consider to be appropriate to safeguard the national interest.