SUBVERSIVE TALK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1941, Page 6

SUBVERSIVE TALK

POWERS OF BRITISH HOME

SECRETARY PROTEST BY LORD PONSONBY. REPLY BY LORD SIMON. ,(By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, November 18. Lord Ponsonby declared in the House of Lords that he was very sure that he was under observation by Mr Herbert Morrison (Home Secretary). Lord Ponsonby said that Mr Morrison’s remark last month that he was “interested” in the activities of the Duke of Bedford, though he had not detained him, was irrelevant, and that there were other members of the House of Lords who might be included in Mr Morrison’s remark. “I ask for some protection against this method of insinuation and attack,” Lord Ponsonby continued. “Mr Morrison seems intent on putting the finishing touches on his Gestapo and getting it more into the Himmler model, but I think there is sufficient opinion in Britain to show a great dislike for such methods. Mr Morrison has completely disregarded his advisory committee’s recommendations in about a hundred cases. This absolutely unfettered discretion is a danger, and the very fact that people can be removed by a nod from Mr Morrison is a danger that should be dealt with before it goes further.” Lord Simon, replying, said: “Lord Ponsonby was in error when he said Mr Morrison’s observations were wholly irrelevant. The Duke of Bedford has gone to pains to circulate his opinions in quarters where they might be received. I regard those opinions as utterly irresponsible and completely pestilential, but the Duke of Bedford is fortunate that he is a British subject. I hope the House will agree that it is just possible to make a little too much of these things in time of war, and that we had better get on with the work.”