§ 75. Mr. LYNCHasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give the list of Irish newspapers suppressed or threatened since the beginning of the War, and any indication of the nature of the offence in question; if steps were taken to ascertain whether any of these newspapers had means of acquiring information not available to all the world; and, if so, whether the offence in any particular case consisted mainly or altogether in criticism of the Government?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to amplify the replies already given on this subject. The action taken against offending newspapers has been under powers conferred by the Defence of the Realm Act, and I would refer the hon. Member to Regulation No. 27, made in pursuance of those Acts, for an indication of the character of the offences which have compelled such action. I am not aware that any of the newspapers in question criticised the present administration as such.
§ Mr. LYNCHConsidering that the liberty of the Press is a matter which should be closely safeguarded, is this House to have no illumination whatever on such arbitrary cases?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir. I do not think the House requires any particular information with regard to these papers which were suppressed because, in the opinion of the military authorities, they interfered with the successful prosecution of the War.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMHas the right hon. Gentleman any information that these papers were subsidised with German money?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LYNCHWere their criticisms more damaging than those of the London papers, which the Government have not suppressed?