§ 40. Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether copies of the Debates, as issued to Members, are either stopped or censored when addressed to Australian newspapers or Australian citizens?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir; they are not stopped or censored, so far as I am aware.
§ Mr. ASHLEYAre we to understand such action to be against the wish of the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWCertainly; if anything of the kind is done, which I do not believe, it will be done by the Australian Government.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman say who is responsible for censoring the Official Debates in this House before they go to Press?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat, I think, is a question for the authorities of this House—certainly not for the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
§ 48. Mr. LYNCHasked the Home Secretary whether instructions or counsels emanating from the Government have been given recently to the Press to avoid mention of any speech delivered in this House or to suppress reference to any part of a Debate; and, if so, whether he will state the reason for such proceedings?
Mr. SAMUELI have made inquiry from the Press Bureau, who know of no such instructions or counsels, nor am I aware of any having been given through any other channel.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is responsible, or has he any knowledge who is, for the censoring of the OFFICIAL REPORT?