47. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the article in respect of which the foreign circulation of the "Nation" newspaper was suppressed was republished by the "Pall Mall Gazette" last week; and whether he has taken or proposes to take any action?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir, it is not proposed to take any action.
48. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that the suppression of the foreign circulation of the "Nation" newspaper has been justified on the ground that the Commander-in-Chief in France wrote personally saying that it was most discouraging to the soldiers that things of this kind should be published, whether he will publish the letter referred to?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it because it is stated from France that no request was made from headquarters to have the foreign circulation of the "Nation" suppressed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIf such a statement was made, it was quite untrue.
§ Mr. A. F. WHYTEIn whose hands does the decision of such a policy as this lie, as we have the statement of the Prime Minister that he was entirely ignorant when the actual action was taken?
§ Mr. HOGGECan my hon. Friend produce the letter from headquarters in France asking for this edition to be suppressed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot add anything to what I have said.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that no such letter exists?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt does exist.
§ Mr. KINGIs it because the letter was in reply to one suggesting such a course to the Commander-in-Chief in France?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo; that is equally untrue.