§ 8. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Solicitor-General whether he can state on what grounds of public policy the Press Bureau has excised from the notes of the military critic of the "Daily News and Morning Leader," quotations from the Reports of Sir John French, which had been already published and circulated throughout the world?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL (Sir Stanley Buckmaster)I have tried, but cannot ascertain, what is referred to in this question. The dates and the details must be furnished before I can be in a position to answer it.
§ 9. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Solicitor-General whether he can state whether the Press Bureau has refused to allow Press publication of the fact that five social democratic members of the Duma have been sentenced to imprisonment in Siberia; and, in such case, whether he can state the reason for this decision?
§ Sir S. BUCKMASTERThe statement referred to in the question has, so far as I know, only been inserted in the German wireless message and the "Daily News." I struck it out of the German wireless because, upon the information before me, it was inaccurate, and was intended to create mischief between ourselves and our Allies.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEAre we to understand that the statement in the "Daily News," which has been refused publication, is correct?
§ Sir S. BUCKMASTERI am not prepared to answer for the accuracy of the "Daily News."