§ 58 and 59. Sir A. MARKHAMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether, on 20th May, a request was made to the Secretary of State for War asking for permission to take photographs limited to a prescribed area illustrating the domestic camp life and amusements of the Army in France, and taken behind the actual area of operations; will he say why this letter was not acknowledged; what are the reasons, if any, why information should be kept from the public; and (2) whether he is aware that regimental records of the gallant deeds of our men at the front that have been obtained since the War by desire of the commanding officers for historical purposes, to be published after the War, have been entirely stopped by recent regulations under which each commanding officer has had to send in a signed statement declaring that there are no cameras in his command; and whether, seeing the value attached to these regimental records, some modification of these regulations can be made to enable commanding officers to authorise such records being taken to be published after the War?
§ Mr. TENNANTPerhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to give me the name of the writer of the letter he refers to, or procure me a copy, as applications to photograph at the front have been numerous, and without further information I cannot trace the particular one he quotes. The use of cameras within the zone of operations is strictly forbidden for essential military reasons which are well known to the general staffs of all armies. It is not proposed to interfere with the discretion given to every Commander-in-Chief in such matters.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMDoes my right hon. Friend know that the Brigade of Guards have had these photographs, to illustrate the gallant deeds of the regiments, taken from the beginning of the War up to the present time, and it has never been stopped till quite recently?
§ Mr. TENNANTAgain I have to say that I was not aware of the fact that the Brigade of Guarde had taken photographs. If they did so, it must have been unknown to the authorities.
64. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give the names of the British war 992 correspondents who have been permitted to accompany the Army in France and of the newspapers which they represent?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs I have already informed the hon. Member on the 6th instant, five correspondents are at present allowed to be with the Army in France. They represent various groups of newspapers comprising the whole of the London and provincial Press. The correspondents are changed from time to time as may be desired by the groups they represent.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTCan the right hon. Gentleman give the names of those who are at present authorised?
§ Mr. TENNANTI think to give the names would be rather an invidious thing; perhaps my hon. Friend will not press for them.
§ Mr. TENNANTThat shall receive my careful consideration.