HC Deb 19 May 1930 vol 239 cc22-4
45. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a copy of the resolution recently passed by the Newspaper Proprietors Association with reference to the recent action of the Government under Section 6 of the Official Secrets Act; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

46. Mr. BRACKEN

asked the Prime Minister what action he proposes to take with regard to the representations made to him by the Newspaper Proprietors' Association in connection with the use of Section 6 of the Official Secrets Act of 1920 against certain Parliamentary journalists?

48. Mr. ERNEST WINTERTON

asked the Prime Minister whether, with regard to the letter he has received from the Newspaper Proprietors' Association relating to the use of Section 6 of the Official Secrets Act, 1920, he is prepared to meet the request of the council of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association that certain sections of the Official Secrets Act, so far as they relate to civil affairs, should be amended?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have received a copy of the resolutions passed by the council of Newspaper Proprietors' Association. I cannot undertake to consider legislation to amend the Official Secrets Acts until I know the precise nature and extent of the alleged grievances.

Sir K. WOOD

With regard to the other parts of the resolution making complaint of the action of the Government, has not the right hon. Gentleman now come to the conclusion, apart altogether from altering the terms of the Statute, that it was quite unnecessary to have invoked it at all, and that a very bad blunder was made?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have come to the conclusion that I followed the precedent given to me by the Government of which the right hon. Member was a Member.

Sir K. WOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly state how he can say the action in a different case altogether justifies his own proceeding in a totally different one?

Mr. BOOTHBY

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the practically universal protests from the Press throughout the country, and can he give the House some assurance that action of a similar kind will not be taken again by the Government without inquiry?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have said that I am awaiting a specific statement as to what is the grievance.

Mr. BRACKEN

Is the Prime Minister not aware that the grievance is that he bullied the unfortunate journalist in order to get information out of him?