38. Mr. LLEWELYN WILLIAMSasked the Prime Minister whether the Defence of the Realm Act and the regulations made thereunder will be suspended or repealed before the General Election?
§ 41. Sir WILLOUGHBY DICKINSONasked whether His Majesty's Government will withdraw the Press censorship before notice of the General Election is given; and, if not, when will the expression of opinions be freed from the present restrictions?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe question of the modification of the Press censorship is now under consideration, and an announcement will be made at an early date. As regards the second part of the question, if my right hon. Friend the Member for North St. Pancras refers to the Defence of the Realm Regulations he will find that there is no restriction on the mere expression of opinion.
§ Sir W. DICKINSONIs there any restriction on the expression of opinion as printed in circulars?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think that is rather a technical question, but what I have said is correct. There is no objection to the expression of opinion by circular.
Mr. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether Regulation 27 will be suspended during the General Election?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, I cannot say.
An HON. MEMBERSeeing that this matter will be liable to debate on the third Order of the Day, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement then?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWA Committee is now sitting dealing with this whole question, and I cannot as yet give the result of their deliberations.