§ 67. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with reference to the resolution passed at the recent conference of the National Union of Journalists at Carlisle and sent to him deploring the recent tendency to introduce what amounts to a censorship by Government Departments of news bearing on foreign affairs?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEA copy of a resolution on this subject reached my right hon. Friend yesterday. My right hon. Friend considers that the communication to him of such a resolution is entirely uncalled for, since it is well known, and I take this opportunity of publicly repeating, that journalists visit the Foreign Office daily for information on foreign affairs and that no attempts are made, or have ever been made, to exercise censorship of any kind whatever. Representatives of newspapers discuss questions with my right hon. Friend's Department on the full understanding that they are at liberty to write as they think fit.
§ Mr. MANDERWill not the Foreign Secretary make inquiries from the National Union as to what it is they have in mind and complain of?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEThere is no reason for inquiry.