§ Mr. Arthur Greenwood(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement about the official request made yesterday by the Government to the Press that they should not publish the instructions given by the First Lord of the Admiralty recently regarding the manning of the anti-aircraft guns of the Fleet?
§ The Prime MinisterI have seen the First Lord this morning and he has explained to me the circumstances in which the remarks were made which, apparently, created some sensation. The occasion was the initiation of a new scheme in connection with the showing of films in the Navy. My Noble Friend's speech was unpremeditated, and it is quite 2793 untrue that, as has been suggested, he invited the Press to give special prominence to it. In the course of his remarks my Noble Friend drew attention to the fact that there was not a full attendance, as some of the men were retained on board their own ships in readiness to man their guns, as has been the normal practice in time of tension. No other orders had been given by the Admiralty than that this practice should not be relaxed even on so special an occasion.
With regard to the subsequent proceedings, I was informed in the course of the evening that considerable comment had been aroused by an early report on the wireless of what my Noble Friend had said. I understood that this report had not been broadcast in this country, though it had been on the Empire broadcast. Since it seemed to me likely to be treated, as in fact it has been treated, as a sensational matter, whereas there was no reason or foundation for any sensation, I gave directions that the Press should be asked not to publish the account of the First Lord's speech, or, if they did publish it, not to ascribe to it any particular importance. Apparently my efforts to spare the public unnecessary agitation were not altogether successful, but the incident will, at any rate, have served to demonstrate the constant readiness of the Navy for all eventualities.
§ Mr. GreenwoodMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he is not making light of a rather serious subject; and may I ask, after this rather partial disclosure, whether he would like to read to the House the statement which was actually made by the First Lord? Then I should like to ask him whether, in view of the existing serious position internationally, and the possible grave crisis which that statement might have created abroad—and a responsible statement if it were pre meditated would make the crime doubly worse—
§ The Prime MinisterI said that it was not premeditated.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI am saying it was not premeditated, and in that case my point to the Prime Minister is all the stronger—in that case does he regard the First Lord as a fit person to hold an important office in His Majesty's Government; and will he give an assurance that 2794 such indiscreet, irresponsible and unpremeditated statements shall not be repeated in future by responsible officers of the Crown? I was going to ask him, but he has cleared up the point, on whose authority the denial was issued.
§ The Prime MinisterMy Noble Friend has expressed to me his great regret that his words, which perhaps were not very happily chosen, should have given rise to so much comment and to such unnecessary alarm, but I do not think an incident of this kind really affects the general efficiency of my right hon. Friend as head of the Admiralty, with which I am entirely satisfied.
§ Sir A. SinclairDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is his action in interfering with the freedom of the Press in publishing this which has ensured for the First Lord's statement redoubled publicity, not only in this country but in every country of the world, and is it not better to leave the Press to discharge their own functions without interference from the Prime Minister?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think so at all. I think it is right and proper for the Government from time to time to make requests to the Press—and it was nothing more than a request—and I have always found that the Press are always most courteous and ready to comply with any request of a reasonable character; but in this case I must take the blame for action which certainly did not produce the effect which I wanted. It was done solely with a view to trying to prevent unnecessary agitation in the minds of the public.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderWould the right hon. Gentleman direct his attention to the words that were used by the First Lord in the report of the speech which we have seen? He said:
Unfortunately, shortly before I left the Admiralty it became necessary to give orders to man the anti-aircraft gunsDid not that imply in the public mind at once that an international crisis was arising, that some rumour had been received at the Admiralty, so that special defensive measures were necessary; and if that were not so, was it not most unwise to make such a statement; and how can the Prime Minister in such circumstances think that this House can trust such a Minister in times of international tension to continue in office and to take charge?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the right hon. Gentleman is making more of this than is necessary. I asked my Noble Friend whether he recollected using those exact words and he could not recollect exactly what words he used, but it is a fact that there were no fresh orders but only orders not to alter the orders already in existence. It was because I thought the words as reported would give a wrong impression that I thought it was desirable to make that request to the Press.
§ Mr. GreenwoodDoes the Prime Minister not think that those words, however incautiously used, and having been, perhaps, mistranslated and embellished, might easily have caused the precipitation of the kind of dreadful thing we do not wish to happen? Is it not conceivable that in circumstances of this kind incautious statements like that might precipitate war? In those circumstances, is the First Lord of the Admiralty a man fitted to make responsible statements to the public?
§ The Prime MinisterI think it is desirable that in times like these everybody should be very careful what they say. My Noble Friend will take special care after the experience he has just had.