42. Mr. J. J. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has fully considered the complaints of the Glasgow and Edinburgh branches of the National Union of Journalists regarding Press censorship in Scotland; and has he any statement to make?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)Yes, Sir. The complaints in question were discussed recently by the Director-General of the Press and Censorship Bureau with Press representatives in Scotland, and in so far as they concern censorship of news the Director-General is taking all possible steps to remove the difficulties which have been experienced. It appears that the main difficulty concerns the collection of news by local reporters, and I understand that this question is being considered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information in consultation with the other Departments concerned with a view to the co-ordination of action.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the hon. Gentleman communicate with the Service Departments and make known to them that these journalists, in collecting information for the public, are doing their service in connection with the war just as the military people are doing theirs, and should receive that courtesy to which they are entitled from the military people when in pursuit of their work?