HC Deb 13 March 1952 vol 497 cc151-2W
85. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a body called the British Youth Festival Committee is circulating invitations to young people to attend a British Youth Peace Festival in Sheffield at Whitsun, 1952, similar to the one banned by his predecessor last year; and what action he proposes to take.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

Yes. This is a Communist-sponsored gathering and organisations or individuals receiving invitations to attend should not be misled by suggestions that it will be representative of British youth. I have no power to ban it, but I am not prepared to grant facilities to foreigners to attend a festival the real object of which is to make propaganda for the so-called "peace" campaign.