§ 22. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department 1116 whether his attention was called to a circular issued to the Press on 20th March by the directors of the official Press Bureau, stating that, before publishing any article or statement dealing with the terms of compensation to be awarded to coalowners or the adjustment of miners' wages as a result of Government control, they should submit such articles for consorship; and whether he will state upon what ground such a circular was issued to the Press?
§ Mr. BRACEA confidential notice was sent to the Press, at the request of the Controller of Coal Mines, suggesting caution in publishing statements on the matters referred to in the question, as they are subjects of considerable delicacy, and inaccurate or premature statements may lead to friction or other difficulties.
§ Mr. ANDERSONAm I to understand that you consider part of the work of the Press Censorship in this country to regulate statements dealing with miners' wages or on the compensation paid by the Government to the owners?
§ Mr. ANDERSONThen I understand any statement of any kind ought to be first submitted to the Press Censor to deal with any statement before it is published?
§ Mr. PRINGLEDoes the hon. Gentleman believe he will serve any useful purpose by suppressing criticism on matters of domestic policy?
§ Mr. BRACEMy hon. Friend will not understand anything of the kind. What the Press Censor is asked to do is not to permit statements which are inaccurate, and which might cause serious disturbance if they were allowed.
§ Mr. KINGHas not the hon. Gentleman the imagination to see that all those statements might very possibly be helpful and assist towards a solution of the problem?
§ Mr. BRACESurely my hon. Friend will not have the House to believe that inaccurate statements can ever be helpful?
§ Mr. PRINGLEI beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment.