§ 26. Mr. HIGHAMasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that articles detrimental to the best interests of the State are appearing regularly in a certain newspaper; will he explain why action has not been taken in the matter; is he aware of the fact that the police authorities would take action but for certain instructions from his office; and will he explain why restraint is placed upon the Commissioner of Police in carrying out what he considers to be his duty in this matter?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)Articles which seem to me detrimental to the best interests of the State appear from time to time in more, than one news- 744 paper; but no action can be taken unless the law is violated, and even then it may be a question whether a prosecution would not do more harm by advertising the paper than any good that would come of it. I have not issued any general instructions in this matter, and no restraint is put on the Commissioner by the Home Office; and I may point out that it would be not for him, but for the Director of Public Prosecutions to take any action.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSHave any of the articles in question been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions to see whether a prosecution should take place?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes. We are constantly doing so.
§ Mr. LYLE-SAMUELIs there any truth in the suggestion conveyed in this question that there is a conflict of opinion between the Commissioner of Police and the Home Secretary? If so, can we have an assurance that the right hon. Gentleman responsible to this House will maintain his own policy?
§ Mr. SHORTTThere is not the faintest ground for suggesting that.