SECRET SESSION HELD

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 70, 15 December 1939, Page 10

SECRET SESSION HELD

Elaborate Precautions (Received December 14, 8.35 .ni.) LONDON, December 14. The only report permitted of the secret session held by the House of Commons is the Speaker’s statement, which was as follows: —“The adjournment of the House was moved by the Prime Minister. A debate occurred on the organization of supplies for the prosecution of the war.”

An official record of the debate was not kept, and even the daily Parliamentary report which is normally conveyed to His Majesty was withheld. The session lasted for 7| hours, which is the time-limit.

For the first time since the lasi war members of the House of Commons were forbidden to take friends into the lobbies, as a preliminary precaution to the session. Elaborate precautions were taken to ensure secrecy.

The House met in an atmosphere of excitement, and the attendance was unusually large, many of those present being in uniform. Precisely at 4 p.m. Mr. Chamberlain, opening the ceremonial prescribed for such a session, drew the attention of the Speaker to the fact that “Strangers are present.” Attendants cleared the packed galleries. The Duke of Kent was among the peers, who alone remained.

All approaches were barred when the secret session begau. Official circles in London point out that the secret session is an extension rather than a limitation of the principle of freedom of discussion which the Constitution assures even in wartime. This, it is stressed, is a source of strength and makes for greater efficiency in administration than stifling criticism. The present session was requested by the' Opposition, and the Government acceded, appreciating the sense of responsibility which prompted members to seek an opportunity to speak with freedom without providing the enemy with propaganda material. In wartime no frank discussion on problems of supply and the service departments relating to the conduct of the war tan take place without affording valuable information to the enemy. The public aud the Press fully understand that the reasons of State which prompted the decision include the wish to safeguard free discussion in wartime. Secret sessions have several precedents in British constitutional practice.