HC Deb 25 July 1940 vol 363 c979
50. Mr. Granville

asked the Prime Minister whether the retention of the system of voluntary Press censorship and administration of Defence Regulation No. 3 by the Ministry of Information, instead of the Service Departments, now represents the considered policy of the War Cabinet; and whether, in order to ensure closer co-operation and avoid further misapprehensions, the Minister of Information will be made a member of that body instead of merely attending their meetings?

Mr. Attlee

The arrangement set out in the first part of the Question represents the considered policy of the War Cabinet. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the administration by the Ministry of Information of Defence Regulation No. 3 is limited to cases of infringement of that Regulation by the Press. The answer to the second part of the Question is that it is not proposed to make any change at the present time.

Mr. Granville

If my right hon. Friend thinks it undesirable to increase the War Cabinet, does he not agree that it is important that this very important office should be in the hands of somebody who has had War Cabinet experience; and, furthermore, will he take into consideration the fact that, while the country is very satisfied with the Prime Minister, it is far from satisfied with the Ministry of Information?

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