HC Deb 09 December 1938 vol 342 cc1487-8
Mr. Beechman

In the course of the Debate in this House on 7th December, on restriction of liberty, I alluded to a Question put to this House on 29th November, by the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson). As the hon. Member has informed me that his Question referred to the dissemination by British agencies of news abroad, I wish to remove any ambiguity by quoting the Question: Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSON asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the need for straight British news, by reason of the intensive anti-British propaganda now being carried on by certain other countries, His Majesty's Government will consider the desirability of establishing a special Press and propaganda department?"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 29th November, 1938, col. 241: Vol. 342.] I wish to make it clear that I do not found any observations in regard to the control of the operations of the Press in this country on the Question.