Sir William Davison: Is not the War Crimes Commission examining whether these crimes are punishable under what we know as international law, and, in view of recent events, is not international law as we knew it a thing of the past, and is it not high time that we laid down how cases of this kind are to be dealt with in the future?
Sir William Davison: Is not a broadcast about the Bank of England a very different thing from one about a trading concern like the Co-operative Movement?
Sir William Davison: asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a statement recently made by Sir Cecil Hurst, Chairman of the United Nations War Crime Commission, saying that if Hitler can manage to escape to a neutral country nothing can be done by the Allies in the matter; and what action is being taken by the Allies to prevent the possible evasion of justice by Nazi criminals in the way...
Sir William Davison: Is the Prime Minister aware that Sir Cecil Hurst subsequently gave an explanation of what he said at his Press interview that, if existing extraditional machinery was inappropriate to the circumstances, some new arrangement might—note the word "might"—be insisted on to ensure surrender; and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is essential for Great Britain, America and Russia...
Sir William Davison: asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give an assurance that as soon as the Education Bill has become an Act of Parliament, he will issue a Regulation under the authority conferred upon him, providing that the curriculum in all county and auxiliary schools throughout the country shall make provision for the teaching of the primary duty of all citizens to defend their...
Sir William Davison: Is my right hon. Friend aware that a definite assurance has been given by the Government that some such words as those indicated in my Question would be included? Is he also aware that a general statement as to the teaching of citizenship is very different from what is suggested in my Question as to the duty of all people to defend their native land; and will the House of Commons receive a...
Sir William Davison: Is the Minister aware that this assurance was definitely given elsewhere? Surely the House of Commons is entitled to the same assurance?
Sir William Davison: There is just one matter to which I think the Prime Minister has not referred. Judging by my own correspondence and that of several of my hon. Friends, the point that is emphasised is, "Is it not time that the Government made a public statement with regard to reprisals?" [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I am not saying that it is right, or anything about it, but only that that was the nature of my...
Sir William Davison: asked the President of the Board of Education what steps are being taken to give instruction in schools throughout the country on the history of the British Empire, its unity as a Commonwealth of Nations and its importance in any post-war arrangements for securing world peace and security.
Sir William Davison: Notwithstanding all that valuable literature to which my right hon. Friend has referred, is he aware how terribly ignorant the ordinary school boy or school girl is of the history of the British Empire and its development to a Commonwealth of Nations? Does he not think its history is much more important than an account of Julius Caesar's campaigns in Gaul or statements that at this time large...
Sir William Davison: Could the Home Secretary give some evidence that the release of the hon. and gallant Member for Peebles and Southern (Captain Ramsay) has been refused because, in accordance with the actual wording of the Regulation, his release would be "prejudicial to the public safety or the defence of the Realm, or interfere with the maintenance of supplies or services essential to the life of the community?"
Sir William Davison: The Motion says, in particular: … the detention of an hon. Member for over four years without trial or charge conflicts with the ancient and well-established right of the House to the service of its Members.…
Sir William Davison: But he is a Member of the House.
Sir William Davison: Has the Advisory Committee the secret information which induces the Home Secretary to differ from it?
Sir William Davison: It is very important.
Sir William Davison: As church fires generally occur in the roof, could not my right hon. Friend see that something in the nature of a permanent ladder is fixed in churches, so that the fire hose could be made to reach the roof? Frequently, when fire occurs, there is nothing which can carry the hose up to the roof to stop the burning.
Sir William Davison: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the publication in the Press of photographs of convicts on their release from prison after serving often a long sentence, full particulars being given of the crime in respect of which they had been punished; and whether he will introduce legislation to stop this practice as it is an obstacle to a...
Sir William Davison: Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is exceedingly unfair, when a man has paid the penalty of an offence, and is endeavouring to start life anew, that he should be pilloried, and the whole of his past life published, together with photographs showing his wife meeting him at the gate of the prison?
Sir William Davison: asked the President of the Board of Education, in connection with the road casualties for April, numbering over 10,000, of which fatalities to children numbered approximately five a day, what are the precise measures which have been taken by his Department to secure that the head teachers of all schools throughout the country are impressing upon the children in their schools the serious...
Sir William Davison: Does not all this relate to post-war training? When five children are being killed every day surely some special request should be made now to local education authorities throughout the country that, each day, for say a couple of months, the head teacher should draw the attention of the children on assembly at the school to the great danger of road accidents?
