§ 14. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what publications have been suppressed under the Defence of the Realm Act and what publications otherwise interfered with under the Act have ceased to exist?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt would not be in the public interest to amplify the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland to the hon. Member on this subject on the 8th February last. Since that date one further seizure of a newspaper has been made on the grounds that it contained statements likely to cause disaffection or to prejudice recruiting.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman say how many publications have been suppressed?
§ Mr. TENNANTI only know of one newspaper.
§ Mr. GINNELLThe question asked is, How many separate publications have been suppressed? Is it the opinion of the Government, or of the right hon. Gentleman, that this House has no right, or interest, in the freedom of public opinion?
§ Mr. LYNCHMay I ask if any one of these papers has been suppressed, and whether it does contravene any of these laws?
§ Mr. TENNANTMy information is that one newspaper has been suppressed because it contained statements likely to cause disaffection or to prejudice recruiting; and I am quite sure the hon. Gentleman would be the first to wish the War Office to take steps to suppress a newspaper in those circumstances.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman say why those papers had not been put on trial of some sort?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is not considered desirablep—
§ Mr. GINNELLDesirable by whom?
§ Mr. TENNANTNor do the terms of the Defence of the Realm Act and the Regulations issued under it require a trial.