§ 37. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Attorney-General if his attention has been drawn to the statement in the "Daily Express" of 14th March, in which they give the names of Mr. Herbert Morrison and Mr. Alexander as having voted for dole cuts in the Labour Cabinet, and proposing to give the names of the other 10 Members who voted for a similar policy; and if he proposes to institute proceedings under the Official Secrets Act against this newspaper?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALBefore I answer the question, may I express my regret to the hon. Member that I was not here on the last occasion owing to the fact that I was not in my room at one a.m. on the morning the question was asked. I am not aware of any such statement. The hon. Gentleman has called my attention to a comment in the "Daily Express" of 14th March, to the effect that whereas another newspaper had thanked nine Cabinet Ministers who opposed certain economy measures, there were 12 other Members of the same Cabinet including Mr. Herbert Morrison and Mr. Alexander. I am satisfied that no proceedings under the Official Secrets Act could be properly instituted in respect of this statement.
§ Mr. McGOVERNWhile one newspaper stated that there were nine, the other gave no names. The "Daily Express" gave two. I think the right hon. Gentleman means that there is no offence. If this newspaper is correct and gives 858 the names of the other 10, will there still be no breach of the Official Secrets Act?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALThe hon. Member suggested in the question that the newspaper, the "Daily Express," had said that Mr. Morrison and Mr. Alexander voted for the dole cuts in the Labour Cabinet. I pointed out in my answer that the "Daily Express" made no such statement and merely said that there were 20 Members of the Cabinet, of whom only nine had been' thanked by the "Daily Herald."
§ Mr. McGOVERNI think the right hon. Gentleman will admit that I sent him a cutting in which it states very definitely that Mr. Morrison and Mr. Alexander—
§ Mr. SPEAKERrose—
§ Mr. McGOVERNI only wanted to ask further, if this statement is true and the other names are given, will it be a breach of the Official Secrets Act?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALI will consider any statement when my attention is called to it.