HC Deb 08 March 1917 vol 91 cc552-3
39. Colonel GRETTON

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the establishment of a new Sunday-newspaper in London; if he can state by whom it is owned and financed; and if, in view of the shortage of paper for the use of the existing Press, there is any power of stopping the establishment of new newspapers at the present time?

Mr. ROBERTS

I have no information as to the ownership of the paper to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. There is no prohibition in force against the establishment of new papers.

Mr. RAFFAN

Is it not always possible to obtain the names of the proprietors of newspapers—do they not require to register?

Mr. WATT

Will the hon. Gentleman say why this newspaper is subsidised by Government advertisements; whether the editor is a Hungarian, and does that Hungarian receive the confidential communications of the Government?

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

Questions like that ought to have notice.

Mr. RAFFAN

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he did not in an answer himself last week state that it was necessary for the names of all proprietors of newspapers to be inserted in public in the newspapers and if that is so, what is the difficulty in answering this question?

Mr. ROBERTS

My hon. Friend is incorrect. I never made such a statement. My reply was as to firms which comes under the Business Names Act. I have no information that this firm does.

Sir W. BYLES

Is it true that a member of the Government is financing this newspaper?