§ 34. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for War whether instructions will be issued to all commands that the card of the National Union of Journalists, accepted by the Chief Constables' Association, shall be recognised as authority on the part of reporters to make legitimate inquiries, provided that the identity of the holder be vouched for by a magistrate, or otherwise confirmed?
§ Mr. StanleyThe membership card of the National Union of Journalists cannot be accepted as conferring a right to carry out activities in all military areas, but, when permission is sought to visit any military station or establishment to which bona fide Pressmen may be admitted, the production of a membership card of the National Union of Journalists, containing a photograph of the holder, will be accepted as one method of establishing bona fides. The Secretary of the National Union of Journalists and all Home Commands have been so informed. These arrangements will also apply where a membership card of the Institute of Journalists is produced to the appropriate authority. The general question of the authority to be produced by journalists as a means of identification is being considered.