HC Deb 24 July 1940 vol 363 cc769-70
22. Sir Henry Morris-Jones

asked the Minister of Information whether any arrangements have been made in the event of any region or portion of this country being cut off during enemy invasion, involving the non-arrival in the area of any of our national newspapers, to secure the distribution of such newspapers as can be published in the area on as wide a scale as possible, or what other arrangements are contemplated in order to secure, in any emergency, free and uncontrolled expression of opinion and comment as well as accurate presentation of news?

Mr. Cooper

I understand that adequate arrangements have been made both by the national and provincial newspapers upon their own account in order to secure distribution during such a period of emergency as is envisaged. The main task of the Ministry of Information would be to assist the Press in obtaining early and accurate information. Steps have been taken to ensure that this shall be done. The hon. Member will no doubt agree that it would not be in the public interest to make these emergency arrangements generally known.

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