DISMISSAL OF BOY SCOUT

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27274, 15 February 1954, Page 9

DISMISSAL OF BOY SCOUT

Secretary Of Young Communist League (Bee. 8.20 p.m.) LONDON. Feb 13. Scores of young Communists snouted protests outside a London hall today when the Chief Scout. Lord Rowallan. at a Scout rally defended me decision to dismiss a 19-year-old Paul Garland, of Bristol, from the Boy Scout movement “to protect our young members.” Lord Rowallan told 2000 Scouts: "We have 488 900 members in this country and I consider we have a" duty to the boys and their parents to protect them Dtom undue influences and what we *now to be subversive lies.” Garland, who is a Queen’s Scout, nad been appointed secretary to the West of England Young Communist League. Scout authorities told him this week ne must resign from the Scouts or be dismissed. Lord Rowallan said the Scout Movement had a perfect right to protect young Scouts just as Communists have right to discipline their members in whatever way they like. . D° r d Rowallan said that Garland had not attended any Scout gathering tor months nor had he been seen m uniform until he turned un refessed as a Senior Scout, although he is one v ear too old tor membership of that valuable Branch of the movement.” Lord Rowallan said the Yount? Communist League condemned Christianity and had stated that no man Jduld be a Communist unless he was weed of religious convictions. K