HC Deb 31 July 1940 vol 363 cc1217-8
15. Major Milner

asked the Minister of Information why he permits a gratuitous advertisement of the German wireless transmission in English to be printed in the newspapers daily in connection with the lists of prisoners in Germany; and will he devise a different form of publication omitting the origin of the information?

Mr. Cooper

Newspapers were asked to publish the names of British prisoners of war announced on the German wireless with the express object of removing a reason which might naturally induce people to listen to that wireless. If the source of the information was not stated, readers might imagine that the accuracy of the lists was vouched for by His Majesty's Government, whereas this is not the case.

Major Milner

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are many well-authenticated cases of anxious mothers continuing to listen in, with quite serious results? Is is not sufficient to use the term "German sources," without indicating that those sources are wireless sources?

Mr. Cooper

I will consider that suggestion.