Planning inquiry hears Scientology views on opponents' 'crimes'

It was produced towards the end of the first day's hearing into an appeal by the scientologists against the refusal of East Grinstead urban council to allow a 23,500 sq. ft. extension to the "castle" block in the grounds of their world headquarters at Saint Hill Manor.

Mr. John Warde, representing several objectors, used the pamphlet to question the educational value that the scientologists claimed for the building.

Its introduction was opposed by Mr. Howard Sharp, a planning consultant for the scientologists, who said it was irrelevant to the inquiry, but it was allowed by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government inspector, Mr. V. H. Loney.

Mr. Warde maintained that the subject had already been brought in by a witness for the Church of Scientology, Mrs. Jane Kember, described as a deputy guardian, who said scientology was based on humanistic principles.

Extracts from Mr. Warde's reading included: "We are not a law enforcement agency, but we will become interested in the crimes of people who seek to stop us. If you oppose scientology we promptly look up—and will find and expose—your crimes. If you leave us alone we will leave you alone. . . .

"Those who try to make life hard for us are at once at risk. . . .

"And we have this technical fact—those who oppose us have crimes to hide. It is perhaps merely lucky that this is true, but it is true. And we handle opposition well only when we use it."

'Blackmail incitement'

Mr. Warde said: "I cannot conceive any document which has so little educational value." It might be regarded as an incitement to blackmail.

Mr. Sharp said the planning inquiry had received a lot of journalistic exuberance and that because of this publicity there might be a danger that it would go off the rails. It was not an inquiry into the Church of Scientology. Only such matters relevant to planning could be brought into the arena. Everything else must be rejected. He maintained that the college at the manor had an educational background, recognized by the local authority and their agents.

The council had already approved a number of planning extensions in the 42-acre grounds. The Minister would have to make his decision against the background of the planning requirements alone. The present application was merely an enlargement of the premises for the greater benefit of those who were attracted there. There was no substance in the argument that the activities of the manner were commercial rather than educational. There had been no complaints from the planning authority about what was going on there.

Mrs. Kember denied that the placing out of bounds of certain businesses at East Grinstead by the scientology organization had been an attempt to stifle local opposition to expansion plans. "My intention was simply to indicate to scientologists those people in the town who were making critical and destructive remarks about our religious belief", she said.

Asked to describe her job, she said it was to see that policies of the organization were adhered to by members.

The inquiry continues tomorrow.