§ 49. Mr. MABANEasked the Prime Minister whether he intends to enforce the rule laid down by the Lord President of the Council, when Prime Minister, that no Ministers, while in office, should contribute articles to the public Press?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs was announced by the Lord President of the Council on the 5th May last, in reply to a question put by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies), there has been no change in the observance of the tradition in regard to this matter.
§ Mr. MABANEIn view of the fact that it is offered for public and general sale in competition with other periodicals, does this ruling apply to the "News Letter"?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is no professional journalism involved in that. It is the organ, the political propagandist organ, of an important party in the State.
§ Mr. MABANEIs this practice not likely to create a precedent? Would my right hon. Friend, if Socialist Ministers were in office, allow them to give exclusive statements to their official organ, the "Daily Herald"?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is no possibility of a precedent being created. There is no fee. There is nothing in the articles which makes this publication in any way professional journalism.
§ Mr. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the "News-Letter" is the official organ of his own party—
§ The PRIME MINISTERindicated assent.
§ Mr. THORNE—and backed by Members of his party? Do they all agree?