HC Deb 25 June 1917 vol 95 c18
31. Mr. KING

asked the Home Secretary whether he will explain the principles and methods on which the Press Bureau acts in controlling the publication in the Press of foreign intelligence received in this country; and whether intelligence from Russia has been or is now subject to special control, delay, or restriction?

Sir G. CAVE

If by "foreign intelligence received in this country" the hon. Member means messages transmitted from abroad for the Press by cable, they are censored on the same principles as other Press matter; but censorship on behalf of the Foreign Office of messages on purely foreign affairs as opposed to matter which consists partly or wholly of naval or military information, has been suspended since the 20th December, 1915, and the responsibility for seeing that such messages do not infringe the Defence of the Realm Regulations rests with the publishers. Intelligence from Russia has been, and is now, dealt with on the same principles as intelligence from all other countries.