HC Deb 17 March 1926 vol 193 cc404-6
16. Major BIRCHALL

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that on 23rd January there appeared in the Press a report that a naval officer, whose name was given, and four seamen, had been drowned in Malta Harbour; that this information was broadcast; that two days later the Admiralty published a denial of the statement, in which there was no truth; and can he take steps to prevent the publication of incorrect statements of this character in future?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I am aware of this regrettable incident, the responsibility for which rests with a news agency which circulated a false report without taking any steps to get official confirmation. The falsehood was published in the Saturday evening papers. The Admiralty having obtained a telegraphic report from Malta during Saturday night, circulated a, denial on Sunday, which was broadcast by the British Broadcasting Company the same evening, but the Press could not publish it until Monday. I understand the relatives had been informed, that there was doubt about the report.

No power exists to compel the Press to authenticate rumours before publishing them, but arrangements have existed for many years at the Admiralty, and are well known to the Press, by which inquiries as to reports of this kind can be dealt with at any hour of the day or night. The Admiralty can only urge the importance of making use of these arrangements in the public interest. The failure to do so in this instance inflicted the most cruel distress as well as considerable expense on a number of people.

Colonel DAY

As the Admiralty received this news on the Saturday, could not they have broadcast it on Saturday evening?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

What I said was that they had received the false news on Saturday. They saw it in the newspapers an Saturday, and made inquiries on Saturday night. On Sunday—which was the first time they could do anything—they broadcast the correct news. In the meantime, I understand, they had also informed the relatives that there was grave doubt about this report.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman point out to these relatives that they have probably a very good claim for damages against the newspaper for the shock inflicted on them?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I do not think that is a matter for me.