HC Deb 14 July 1943 vol 391 cc168-70
7. Mr. Astor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that all newspaper correspondents, other than war correspondents, have been instructed to leave French North Africa after one month's stay; and whether, in view of the importance of Parliament and the public having up-to-date independent news regarding political conditions and developments in that region, he will endeavour to get this decision reconsidered?

Mr. Eden

Allied Force Headquarters in North Africa agreed at the end of May to receive a number of additional Press correspondents in the North African theatre to cover political as distinct from military matters. It was stipulated at the time that this agreement was subject to certain conditions being observed by the correspondents, one of which was that they should not stay in the North African theatre for longer than a month. In regard to the second part of the Question, I fear that as long as. North Africa is an important base for military operations certain restrictions are unavoidable. I am, however, in communication with the Resident Minister at Allied Force Headquarters on the subject.

Mr. Astor

If a Question is put down in a week's time, does my right hon. Friend think he can give a favourable answer, because the gravest misgiving has been caused by this time limit, as so many people in the country are under the impression that something is happening which people want to hide?

Mr. Eden

This time limit, as the hon. Member calls it, was fixed when the correspondents went out. Everybody knew all about it. I am in communication with my right hon. Friend, but I cannot tell when I shall get a reply.

Mr. Shinwell

Has this been attributable in any sense to representations made by the French political authorities?

Mr. Eden

I am afraid I do not know; I should not have thought so. I think this was an arrangement made when the correspondents first went out. It might very easily, be revised.

Sir Herbert Williams

Is it not a fact that the best accounts that we have had of the Sicilian operations have come from the German broadcasts, and cannot we be as well served?

Mr. Eden

These are not military correspondents. They are political correspondents.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that by the time Frank Pitcairn, the "Daily Worker" representative, got there he was one day in North Africa when he was told that his month was up?

Mr. Eden

This is the first I have heard of this. I was not aware that the calendar had thus been arranged.

Sir Richard Acland

As political events of first-class importance are taking place in North Africa, if one or two Members wished to see the right hon. Gentleman about this matter, would he see them?

Mr. Eden

I am ready to see Members on this or any other matter at this or any other time.

Mr. De la Bère

Is it not necessary to separate the true from the false and the real from the unreal?