§ 57. Sir A. MARKHAMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the Woolwich authorities on 5th July refused permission to a request made on 28th June by a news agency seeking permission to take a series of photographs to illustrate the busy scenes outside the Arsenal gates when the men arrive at work and leave for their dinner; and will he say what are the military reasons which prevent the public having this information?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)Woolwich has been considered to be an area where photography is generally undesirable. My hon. Friend will, I think, on reflection recognise the difficulty of making exceptions and of securing that a special concession, if granted, is properly used. The duties of the police and of the military authorities are sufficiently onerous already, and it is undesirable to add to them that of supervising photographers.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMDoes my right hon. Friend know that on this particular occasion the War Office actually gave its permission, which was subsequently refused by the authorities at Woolwich?
§ Mr. TENNANTI was not aware of that, but I can quite understand it.