Sir William Davison expressed the view of many members when
he commented on the nature of some of the questions which appear on the order paper. There was a whole series to which Mr. Anthony Eden had to reply that an answer would not be in the public interest. And in most cases the position should have been obvious to the members responsible for the questions. It is always possible to write to Ministers privately. Democracy, if it is to survive, must curb its instincts in time of war. For instance, the powers that the Home Secretary has assumed under the latest Defence Regulations would have startled even Cromwell. But we are faced with the choice between denying the means of dealing effectively with the enemy within the gates, and creating the possibility of injustice in individual cases. And we have been compelled to take the second course, trusting to Sir John Anderson to use his powers with the coolness and discretion for which he is known.
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