MR MORRISON’S POWERS

Southland Times, Issue 24597, 20 November 1941, Page 5

MR MORRISON’S POWERS

LONDON, November 18. Lord Ponsonby declared in the House of Lords that he was very sure he was under observation by Mr Herbert Morrison, the 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 jn Mr Morrison’s remark. “I ask for some protection against this method of insinuation and attack,” he said. “Mr Morrison seems intent on putting the finishing touches to 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 recommendations in about 100 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.” The Lord Chancellor, Lord Simon, replying, said Lord Ponsonby was possibly in error when he said Mr Morrison’s observations were wholly irrelevant. The Duke of Bedford had gone to pains to circulate his opinions in quarters where they might be received. , . . L , • “I regard those opinions as utterly irresponsible and completely pestilential, but the Duke of Bedford is fortunate he is a British subject,” said Lord Simon. “I hope the House will agree that it is just possible to make a little overmuch of these things in time of war and that we had better get on with our work.”