§ Mr. DILLONasked the Home Secretary whether the Press Bureau declines to give any information to the representatives of American papers in London as to whether dispatches filed by them have been stopped or altered; whether he is aware that this action on the part of the Press Bureau places these correspondents and their newspapers under very serious disadvantages; whether he is aware that in France and Italy foreign correspondents are at once informed by the censor ship authorities whether their dispatches have been stopped or altered; and whether he will instruct the Press Bureau to afford this information to American correspondents here, as it can be given without any detriment to the public service and is essential to correspondents of American newspapers for the proper discharge of their duty?
§ Sir G. CAVEPress messages sent by representatives in London of American newspapers are sometimes censored or stopped for sufficient reason, but they are never altered. Information is constantly given to American Press representatives in regard to their messages, but the immense number of messages which pass through the Bureau renders it impossible to keep a complete 1622 record or to answer every inquiry. I am not aware what is the practice in France and Italy, but the volume of work in London must be very much larger than in Paris or Rome. The Press Bureau will continue to give to American correspondents not less favourable treatment than is given to British newspapers, and to give them the information which they desire when this can be done without detriment to the national interests.
§ Mr. DILLONIs there any difficulty in sending to the American correspondents within a reasonable time copies of their dispatches showing what parts have been cut out by the Press Bureau? My information is that all news about the Irish situation is now being cut out.
§ Sir G. CAVEI do not know about that, but as to the earlier part of the question I am sure that the Press Bureau do their best. They have to deal with thousands of messages every week, both British and American.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any general instruction has been given to the Press Bureau in regard to messages affecting the Irish question?
§ Sir G. CAVENo such instruction has been given by me, and no other Minister would give instructions to the Press Bureau.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENIf the right hon. Gentleman does not know whether Irish news to America is being suppressed, will he make inquiry?
§ Sir G. CAVECertainly.