HC Deb 10 June 1901 vol 94 cc1456-8
MR. DILLON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the outrageously false telegrams from South Africa recently sent through Reuter's and other agencies, and the absolute dearth for a long period of any detailed or reliable news of the war and the military situation in South Africa, he will undertake to allow correspondents to go to the front without reference to the politics of the journals they represent, and whether he will see that the censorship is used in future only for military objects, and not for the purpose of keeping the public in the dark as to the situation.

MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

At the same time may I ask whether, in view of Lord Kitchener's denial of the alleged defeat of Beyers's commando, the right hon. Gentleman will state how this telegram came to be passed by the censor, what steps will be taken to prevent correspondents at the seat of war from dispatching false information, and whether correspondents will be deprived of their permits when shown to have communicated false reports respecting operations in the field.

MR. BRODRICK

Lord Kitchener is considering the circumstances in which the incorrect telegrams complained of have recently been sent. I will undertake that all such cases are suitably dealt with. I must point out that the censor is not responsible for the accuracy of the telegrams that pass through his hands, but he is responsible that nothing should be telegraphed to this country likely to give information to the enemy. As regards the general dearth of information about which the hon. Member asks, there has been no withholding of information from the House. It is obvious that the reports of the generals are necessarily summaries of the events that have taken place, and those summaries have been duly published. It is impossible for any general to allow a mass of correspondents to accompany the troops in order to represent newspapers of all descriptions. He can only allow a certain number.

MR. DILLON

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to allow correspondents to go to the front irrespective of the politics of the journals they represent? It so happens that all the correspondents at the front represent only journals supporting the Government.

MR. BRODRICK

I have no knowledge of the politics of the journals represented by the correspondents at the front. The matter rests entirely with Lord Kitchener, who, I believe, is in complete ignorance of the politics of all journals.

MR. WEIR

Seeing that the Secretary for War has been given a specific case in which the information sent to the newspapers has been false, I should like to ask whether he will take action without delay against the correspondent?

MR. BRODRICK

I have not yet heard anything of the explanation of the correspondent, and I have told the House that Lord Kitchener will suitably deal with any such cases.

MAJOR RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)

I wish to know whether the right hon. Gentleman will consider the advisability of prosecuting the propagators of false news at home, such as Mr. Stead, particularly in connection with the letter stated to have been written by Lieutenant Morrison?

MR. BRODRICK

I stated to the House a few days ago that all these false reports are highly discreditable to those who publish them.