HC Deb 12 November 1947 vol 444 cc380-2
51. Colonel Hutchison

asked the Minister of Defence what steps he is taking to keep political bias out of the publications of the Bureau of Current Affairs.

Mr. Alexander

In June last, in agreement with the Service Ministers, I gave instructions that the Education Directorates of the Service Departments should, in planning courses of instruction in current affairs, ensure that all pamphlets and other material purchased centrally are examined with a view to excluding biased or tendentious statements of opinion. I have no reason to suppose that this instruction is not being applied in relation to publications of the Bureau of Current Affairs. As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, the Bureau is an independent body and not under Government control.

Mr. Scollan

Do the War Office and the Minister of Defence consider tendentious a pamphlet on Scottish Home Rule, with a political bias for it, and would they allow the soldiers to read it?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member is merely asking for an expression of opinion and nothing else.

Commander Noble

Has the right hon. Gentleman read Map Review No. 24, in which one paragraph, apparently to start an argument, begins with the words, "The Conservatives say"?

Mr. Alexander

I certainly have not read that particular pamphlet. All these pamphlets are examined by the Service authorities to see if they are biased or tendentious. But I dare say that if one reads further on in this pamphlet it will be found that the other side is quite amply stated.

Major Bruce

Would my right hon. Friend ensure that the facts in these pamphlets continue to be correctly stated, whether or not they agree with the theories of the Opposition?

Colonel Dower

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to ensure that these pamphlets confine themselves more to facts than to political opinion; and is he satisfied that these officers are, in fact, sufficiently politically educated to know what is required?

Mr. Alexander

I cannot be responsible for individual officers' political opinions. I really cannot do that. This is a set of pamphlets prepared by an independent body, and each pamphlet is examined by the Service authorities to make sure that it is not biased. I issued those instructions in June last specially, because of the matters which occurred last April which were brought to our attention in the House by hon. Members.