SECRET SESSION

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 271, 15 December 1939, Page 3

SECRET SESSION

ELABORATE PLANS HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE ON SUPPLY WARTIME PROBLEMS GALLERIES OLKA HKD RUGBY. Dee. If. Official circles- in Loudon point out that to-day's secret session ol the ll oii-ii' cf Commons is an extention rather than a. limitation, of the principle ol freedom of discussion which the constitution assures even in wartime. This, it is stressed, is a source of strength and makes lor greater efficiency i n administration than stifling criticism. The present session was requested |,v the Opposition and the Government acceded, appreciating the sense of responsibility which prompted members to seek an opportunity to speak with freedom and without providing the enemy with propaganda material.

Valuable Information In wartime no frank discussion on problems of supply and service departments relating to the coiidtuet ol tin 1 war can take place without afioiding valuable information to the enemy. Ihe public and press fully understand that reasons of State which prompted tlie decision include the wish to saleguard free discussion in wartime. Secret sessions have several preccdeuts in British constitutional practice. For tlio first time since the last war members were to-day forbidden to take friends into the lobbies, this being a imdiminary precaution to the secret session. Elaborate precautions were taken to ensure secrecy. Ihe house met in an atmosphere, ol excitement. The attendance was unusually large. .Many members were in uniform. Pieciscl.v at 4 p.m. the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville .Chamberlain, drew the attention of the Speaker to the fact that strangers were present. Attendants clearedl the packed galleries. The Duke of Kent was’ among the peers who alone remained. All approaches were barred as the secret session began.