§ Lord Ferrierasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether individual hunt saboteurs and the like are in receipt of cash payments for attendances at demonstrations from so-called conservation societies 854WA and, if so, whether it is within the law to finance operations which are designed to interfere with the rights of individuals going about their legitimate business and recreation.
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)Her Majesty's Government does not have any information as to whether or not such payments have been made. It is not in itself an offence to make payments to those who take part in a demonstration but if the demonstration involves the commission of criminal offences those making the payments may be guilty of procuring the commission of those offences.
House adjourned at two minutes before ten o'clock.