§ 3. Mr. HOGGEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to a paragraph in the "Scots man" newspaper of 16th January, in which detailed information is given of the situation of the Admiralty oil tanks at Invergordon, the size of the field in which they are situated, their dimensions, capacity, the time at which the pipes leading from the tanks to the harbour will be ready to convey oil to ships, the number of tons of coal that can be stored on the site, the name of the Government boat now employed in laying down moorings, the extent those stretch up the Forth, etc.; whether he thinks that such information supplies all the details necessary for the purpose of espionage; how much information leaks out; and if any means can be taken to prevent newspapers publishing what ought to be secret and confidential information?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have seen what is stated in the newspaper referred to. It is well known that much information relating to naval and military defensive measures has found its way, because its significance is not fully appreciated, into the Press to the detriment of the public interest; but it is believed that in cases where such information is recognised as secret and directly affecting the defence of the country, the Government may rely 389 upon the cordial co-operation of the newspaper Press in preventing its publication.
§ Mr. LYELLMay I ask whether there are any means at the disposal of the Admiralty whereby in the case of information being published which ought not to be published the Department can obtain from the editor or manager of the paper the source from which he got the information?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not think I have got any power of that sort.
§ Mr. HOGGEHas the Admiralty directly asked various newspaper editors in the country not to publish this kind of information?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWe are in consultation with some of the newspapers.