§ 49. Mr. R. Aclandasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to an article written by a Minister of the Crown appearing in the "Daily Express" on Monday, 29th November; and whether the publication of this article indicates that the Government have departed from the policy covering this matter, as laid down by the late Prime Minister in his statement of 3rd March, 1927, precluding Ministers from the practice of journalism in any form unless the article be of a literary, historical, scientific, philosophical, or romantic character?
§ The Prime MinisterThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on the subject of the rule relating to contributions to the Press by Ministers which was given by the then Prime Minister on 26th November, 1934. This was as follows:
The rule has never been interpreted as debarring Ministers from writing articles which supplement the means already used for enlightening the public in regard to Measures before Parliament and other administrative questions.
§ Mr. AclandIs it suggested that these articles are written by the pens of Ministers? Are they not certainly written by the staffs, public or private, of Ministers; and is not the continuous development of this habit imposing upon the Opposition, who have no staff, an 2237 ever increasing burden in trying to keep up, not merely with the speeches here, but with the writings of Ministers?
§ Mr. BellengerWould those conditions apply if the Minister received a payment for the article?
§ The Prime MinisterNo question of payment in this particular case arises.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonCan the Prime Minister inform us whether anybody on the staff of the Minister concerned was concerned in the writing of this article and devoted time to its preparation?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, I have not asked my right hon. Friend that question, but I do not see that it is very relevant.
§ Mr. MorrisonDoes the Prime Minister not see that if officers of State Departments, drawing salaries from public funds, are to be called upon to do the personal journalistic work of Ministers, who are not supposed to do journalistic 'work at all, that is very objectionable from the point of view of this House?
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs it not undesirable that a statement of this character should be issued to one newspaper only, and not to the Press generally, with an explanation of a Bill which concerns the nation as a whole?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend, no doubt, took that into account. He has had considerable experience.