HC Deb 23 February 1931 vol 248 c1738
32. Captain BULLOCK

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is prepared to make representations to the Soviet Government with a view to allowing British Press representatives in Russia the same facilities for transmitting news to this country as Soviet Press representatives in Great Britain have for sending news to Russia?

Mr. DALTON

So long as the Soviet Government consider that their interests are best served by the maintenance of an official censorship on Press telegrams, no representations made by His Majesty's Government can secure the same facilities for British Press representatives in the Soviet Union as are enjoyed by Soviet Press representatives in this country. The answer is, therefore, in the negative.

Sir W. DAVISON

Will the hon. Gentleman ascertain from the Soviet Government the reason for this Press censorship in time of peace, which is very unusual?

Mr. DALTON

I fancy that it is not so unusual as the hon. Member may suppose.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is there any other great Power that exercises Press censorship in this way?

Mr. DALTON

I shall be delighted to give the hon. Member an answer to that question if he will put it down.