§ 20. Mr. INSKIPasked the Minister of Transport whether any person has been employed on behalf of or assisted by the Ministry of Transport to write for publication in the press articles representing, the views of the Ministry with regard to the claims and future of the railway companies, or generally with regard to the railway position?
§ Sir E. GEDDESNo person is or has been employed by the Ministry to write articles for publication, and I have no funds for the purpose. Writers and press representatives are given information which is available for publication without discrimination, and to that extent are assisted. It is most desirable that the vital concern of the taxpayer and community in these agreements should be thoroughly appreciated, and it is their interest which I serve and their point of view alone which I take.
§ Mr. INSKIPWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the statements that appeared in the Press have not been inspired—I do not use that word in any narrow sense—by the Ministry of Transport?
§ Sir E. GEDDESUsing the word in its widest sense, they have not.