§ 55. Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether the number of wireless messages issued by the Bolshevik Government in Russia during December and January which have been picked up by our wireless stations, by installations under Admiralty control, or by other agencies which have communicated them to Government authorities; how many such messages have been issued through the Press Bureau; how many have been allowed publication without excisions or alteration; how many have been entirely suppressed; and whether in future Bolshevik wireless messages, unless menacing military interests, will be allowed uncensored publication?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir George Cave)The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. It is undesirable in the public interest to give the figures asked for. Wireless messages from Russia are and will continue to be dealt with in accordance with the general principle governing the censorship of Press messages.
§ Mr. W. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any Russian Government, and, if so, how it was elected?
§ Sir G. CAVEI think I might be excused from answering that question.