§ 53. Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the probabilities and surmises in connection with the military operations abroad, as set forth in the Official Press Bureau communications, is prepared and supervised by the highest military authorities, or is only the expression of the views of the Press Bureau gleaned from information received?
§ Mr. TENNANTAll opinions and facts given in communications from the Press Bureau are official.
§ 54. Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the War Office can see their way to give out for publication the official despatches of General Sir John French regarding the progress of the War in his own words when such despatches can be published without detriment to the military operations, as used to be the case in former wars, so that the public can know that any expressions of opinion in such despatches are the direct opinion of an officer on whose opinion the country can rely, as it is difficult under the present system to distinguish between the opinions of General Sir John French and that of the writer of the official communications of the Press Bureau?
§ Mr. TENNANTI was going to say, a long official despatch received from Sir John French yesterday afternoon was published in last night's "London Gazette." There is no intention to depart from previous practice, and further despatches when received will be similarly published.
§ Mr. PETOasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the very general misunderstanding of his reference to his position in relation to the Press Bureau and the statement in the "Globe" of last evening that he had taken over its administration, he will state precisely what, if any, change has been made in the position of the right hon. Member for the Walton Division in relation to it, and exactly what duties have been assumed by the Home Secretary?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs I stated yesterday, I have, at the request of the Cabinet, accepted responsibility for the work of the Press Bureau. The term "Ministerial responsibility" in its ordinary use is well understood, implying a general charge of the work of a Department, and I used the term in this sense. I am glad to say the right hon. Member for the Walton Division is retaining his position as director of the Bureau.