§ Captain P. Macdonaldasked the Home Secretary whether, in the event of invasion it is proposed to establish martial law forthwith with the particular object of controlling the movements and activities of the civil population which might otherwise interfere with the efficiency of action by the defence forces; and whether he will take the necessary steps at the earliest opportunity to prepare the public for such a step so that the transition would be effected immediately and without any confusion?
§ Sir J. AndersonFull powers to control the movements and activities of the civil population are already vested in the civil authorities by the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act and the Regulations made thereunder; and in the event of an invasion it would not follow that the civil machinery of government would cease to operate. On the contrary, numerous measures have been taken by means of the regional organisation and otherwise to ensure that the military authorities shall have the assistance of the civil authorities to the fullest possible extent. If in any area it should become impracticable for the civil authorities to continue to carry on their functions, any orders and direc-1112W tions which circumstances make necessary would be issued by the military authorities in pursuance of their common law power to take such measures as are necessary for the preservation of order and facilitating the conduct of military operations, and it would be the duty of all civilians to comply with such orders and directions.