PEER ASKS FOR PROTECTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22125, 20 November 1941, Page 5

PEER ASKS FOR PROTECTION

Criticism Of Minister Of Home Security (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18. Lord Ponsonby declared in the House of Lords that he was very sure he was under observation by the Minister of Home Security (Mr Herbert Morrison). Lord Ponsonby said that Mr Morrison’s remark last month that he was interested” in the activities of the Dulce 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, said Lord Ponsonby. “Mr Morrison seems intent on putting the finishing touches to his Gestapo, getting it more into the Himmler model, but I tnink there is a sufficient opinion in Britain to show a great dislike for such methods. Mr Morrison has completely disregarded his advisor’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 that -jord Ponsonby was possibly in error when he said Mr Morrison’s observations where wholly irrelevant. The Duke of Bedford had gone to pains to circulate his opinions in quarters where they might be received. “I regard these opinions as utterly irresponsible and completely pestilential,” said Lord Simon. “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 overmuch of these things in time of war and that we had better get on with the work.”