§ 7. Mr. HOUSTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the letter he addressed to the mayors of Yarmouth and Lowestoft, dated 8th May, was intended for publication in the Press; and, if so, whether it was submitted to the Press Censor before publication, seeing that it gave information to the enemy?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first part of the question is "Yes." It is probably unnecessary to add, for the information of my hon. Friend, that a letter written for publication by the First Lord, and concurred in by the First Sea Lord, is not thereafter submitted for approval to any subordinate officer.
§ Mr. HOUSTONCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why the Admiralty instructed the Press Censor to suppress the reassuring article in connection with merchant tonnage and enemy submarines, pointing out that there was no cause for panic?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot give an answer to that question. I would like to see the article first.