HC Deb 14 September 1914 vol 66 cc758-9
13. Mr. SHERWELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state, for the information of the House, if Sir George Armstrong, who has been appointed Director of Naval Censors, is the person of the same name who was summoned to the Bar of the House and censured by Mr. Speaker for an improper publication of an article affecting the privileges of Parliament?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)

The answer to the question is in the affirmative. The incident referred to took place thirteen years ago. Sir George Armstrong was appointed to the Admiralty before the commencement of the War as a Lieutenant in the Emergency List of officers, to fill the duties of Assistant to the Chief Wireless Censor. On the formation of the Press Bureau he was transferred by the Admiralty from the Chief Wireless Censor's Department to the Press Bureau for special service in that office. The right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for the Walton Division informs me that his work there, which is entirely confined to naval duties, has been of the greatest value.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

May I ask whether the offence amounting to a breach of privilege for which Sir George Armstrong was censured by this House, and which was described in the presence of the Prime Minister as a scurrilous publication, was an attack imputing gross personal corruption to Members of the House of Commons in relation to Private Bill legislation, and may I ask why a gentleman who was unable to censor himself in his own Press is made Director of Naval Censors?

Mr. McKENNA

I have no doubt whatever of the accuracy of my hon. Friend's memory, but my own is not sufficiently clear on the subject to enable me to reply to the question of fact. As regards the second part of his question, the answer which I have given I think completely explains the circumstances under which Sir George Armstrong came to assist at the Press Bureau.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Is it not the fact that on the occasion referred to, thirteen years ago, Sir George Armstrong was abroad at the time and had only official responsibility for what was done by the editor?

Mr. McKENNA

I have no doubt the hon. Member's memory is correct, but for myself I have no recollection of the facts at all.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

I have.