HC Deb 21 March 1940 vol 358 cc2123-4
76. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Information, whether the evidence given before the Select Committee on Publications and Debates by Mr. Ivison Macadam, assistant director-general, Ministry of Information, to the effect that a wider distribution of the Official Report for overseas would assist our enemies, represents the official view of the Ministry?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information (Sir Edward Grigg)

The words used by Mr. Macadam in his evidence before the Select Committee were: so far as neutral countries are concerned, there is the danger that those who are seeking to attack the British democratic system will be assisted by this wider distribution of Hansard to find particular statements and criticisms made in the course of debate on which they could make their case. This represents the official view of the Ministry.

Mr. Mander

But does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that an example of the free functioning of democracy in war-time would be the best possible propaganda we could send throughout the world? Is it not a fact, as the Official Report already circulates on the Continent and gets into the enemy's hands, that there is no point whatever in trying to stop it?

Sir E. Grigg

There has been much which has been said on both sides, but I think the hon. Member will agree that it is not desirable to add to the difficulty which Members of this House feel in carrying out the duty of criticism.

Mr. Mander

Does the Parliamentary Secretary suggest that Debates in this House add to our difficulties in war-time?

Sir E. Grigg

I did not suggest anything of the kind. What I suggested was that in Debates Members themselves have said that they feel difficulties sometimes in making criticism in war-time; and we do not want to add to those difficulties.