HC Deb 25 February 1937 vol 320 cc2163-5
26. Sir Assheton Pownall

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now heard from the Newspaper Proprietors' Association with regard to the recommendations of its committee on the subject of complaints against certain Press representatives?

28. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to disclose the result of his negotiations with the Newspaper Proprietors' Association on the question of interference with individuals in regard to matters of private concern?

Sir J. Simon

A few hours ago I received a letter from the Newspaper Proprietors' Association, which I am causing to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the right hon. Gentleman regard the contents of that letter as a sufficient guarantee that this scandal will not be repeated?

Sir J. Simon

I have a rooted objection to making verbal statements about the contents of a written document.

Mr. Shinwell

The right hon. Gentleman has been repeatedly asked questions on the matter, which is one of some public interest. Will he not acquaint the House with the contents of the document?

Sir J. Simon

I said I had received a document only two hours ago, and I proposed to acquaint the House with its contents by publishing it in the OFFICIAL REPORT to-day.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the contents of the letter?

Sir J. Simon

That is a matter for all the Members of the House to judge when they read it.

Following is the letter:

The Newspaper Proprietors Association, Limited,

6, Bouverie Street,

London, E.C.4.

25th February, 1937.

The Under-Secretary of State,

Home Office, S.W.I.

Sir,

The matters mentioned in your letters of 27th and 29th January, and 5th February, have been before the Council of the Association together with the Report of their Special Committee.

The Council noted that when this question was before the House of Commons on 17th December last, the Home Secretary indicated that it would be proper to look to those who are responsible for the Press in this country to exercise a wise restraint in this matter.

The following resolution was passed unanimously:

"The Council of the Newspaper Proprietors Association strongly condemn methods of news gathering which may cause unnecessary distress to private persons. Cases such as those which have recently received publicity in the House of Commons and elsewhere have the disapproval of all newspapers represented in the Council and every effort will be made to ensure that no such charges can be made against them or their representatives."

The Secretary of State will find the members of this Council, representing the national daily and Sunday newspapers, in the fullest agreement with his view as to the matters of which complaint is made, and he can have full assurance that the editors of these newspapers will make every effort to exercise such wise restraint.

The Council do not desire to make any defence for those actions of newspaper representatives of which specific complaint is made, whether their newspaper.; are members of this Association or not. It will, therefore, not be considered that they are in any way attempting to excuse these instances of conduct which are quite indefensible if they point out that the cases mentioned are few and isolated in comparison with the vast number of enquiries conducted by newspaper reporters in which no cause is given for complaint of any kind whatsoever.

Frequently newspapers are hampered by the inadequacy of police and other official information in matters of importance, where no useful public service is performed by the with holding of news. In many police headquarters and some Government Departments there is frequently no one available to give information at a time when newspapers are of necessity most active. This results in enquiries being made from private sources which could be better and more properly answered officially.

The Council of the Association will continue to employ every effort to avoid undue and improper intrusion into private griefs. They hope it will be appreciated that freedom in the collection and publication of news is just as important to a free Press as freedom in the expression of views, and that all possible facilities will be granted to newspapers to maintain properly and efficiently their service of information.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(Sgd.) BERNARD ALTON.