London, Dec. 14.
One of the sidelights to the secret session of the House of Commons today was the introduction of "secret sandwiches" which were served to members as refreshment. The secret of these sandwiches was not disclosed until members began to eat them, They then found that the sand-wishes had a novel taste, and were in fact made with "macon"—mutton smoked and prepared like bacon, under a similar recipe, to overcome the shortage of bacon.
The secret session is an extension rather than a limitation of the principle of the freedom of discussion which the Constitution assures even in war-time, it is pointed out in official circles here, This, it is stressed, is the source of strength and makes for greater efficiency in administration than the stifling of criticism.
The secret session was requested by the Opposition, and the Government acceded to it, appreciating the sense of responsibility which promoted the members to seek an opportunity to speak with freedom without providing the "enemy" with propaganda material, The House of Commons began its secret session yesterday after question time and the disposal of minor business.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, rose and formally called the Speaker's attention to the fact that strangers were present.
The Speaker immediately put the question that "strangers be ordered to withdraw." This was adopted without discussion and attendants cleared the Strangers', Ladies' and Press galleries, Within a few minutes all approaches to the Chamber were barred and outside locked doors of the galleries attendants in evening dress sat on duty,—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.