Opposition members in Commons today demanded stricter action to curb the activities of British Fascists as Home Secretary Sir John Anderson announced that the Government was considering measures against extreme political parties hindering the war effort.
The Home Secretary told Commons that the Government was closely watching the activities of a manner of number of suspect groups and was “considering whether some strengthening of the defence regulations is desirable for the purpose of checking activities specifically directed towards impeding the national war effort.”
Sir John stressed the Government’s desire not to interfere with small minorities but pointed out: “There is however some risk that the liberty allowed by our traditional principles may be abused by extremists of Whom some are anxious to destroy that liberty.”
Laborite Herbert Morrison pointed out that “many slogans are written about the walls, especially at night time, in the working parts of town by the British Union of Fascists.
“The efforts of the police do not seem to have been most energetic on this point. Fines are ludicrously small. Is the Home Secretary aware that in the last fortnight in Tottenham over 1,000 such slogans have been stomped on public buildings and does he mean to tell me the police cannot find out who is doing it?”
Sir John defended the police and drew cheers when he said; “I an most anxious to do everything possible to stop this nuisance.”
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