§ 14 and 15. Mr. GREENEasked the Secretary of State for India, (1) whether any payment is made by the Government of India to the Associated Press in respect of news telegrams to various Departments and officials; and, if so, whether he can state the amount of such payment during the last financial year;
(2) the reason why news telegrams are supplied to various Departments and officials by the Associated Press; and whether the Government of India takes any steps to supplement such news by the dissemination of official information;
§ Mr. BENNI gave the House all the information in my possession in reply to a question on 8th July. The object of supplying Press Telegrams to officials and departments of Government is to supplement the official information which they receive.
§ Mr. GREENEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures he gave me had regard to the subsidy to Reuter's only, and for overseas?
§ Mr. BENNNo, I gave the hon. Member all the information I have, and I fancy it covered a rather wider field.
§ Mr. GREENEI have just looked at the OFFICIAL REPORT, and I can assure 1043 the right hon. Gentleman that he is wrong. The information applied only to Reuter's and overseas news.