§ 18. Mr. Woolleyasked the Minister of Information whether, in view of his advice that the public should not listen to enemy news broadcasts, many of which contain definite falsehoods, he will ask the Press to refrain from publishing reports of such broadcasts, since their publication can only serve the purpose of the enemy?
Mr. CooperThanks very largely to the manner in which the Press have dealt with enemy news broadcasts and to the thoroughness with which, in co-operation with the various Departments of the Government, they have exposed and are continuing to expose the many falsehoods these broadcasts contain, I have no doubt whatever that they are thoroughly discredited with the general public, and I do not think that any special measures are called for.
§ Mr. WoolleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the enemy broadcasts and official communiqués make unfounded claims of British losses, particularly at sea, and that the publication of such news causes considerable suffering and unnecessary anxiety to relatives of those who might be involved were the news correct?
Mr. CooperI know that these broadcasts contain many falsehoods, and I think it undesirable to encourage people and desirable to discourage them listening to them, but I do not think people should be stopped from listening to them.