§ 17. Mr. Levyasked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been called to the exaggeration of British naval losses off Norway by Germany; whether he is aware that these reports are widely circulated in neutral countries, especially in South-Eastern Europe; and what is being done to combat them by telling the truth of Allied and German losses?
§ The Minister of Information (Sir John Reith)Yes, Sir. German claims are so exaggerated as to evoke sarcastic 681 comment in neutral countries. Special machinery exists in the Ministry for dealing with enemy misstatements. When these are not designed to elicit valuable information immediate corrections are issued through channels which assure wide publicity, especially in South-East Europe. A number of such statements have been issued in recent weeks.
§ Mr. LevyIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the machinery suggested by him, which can be used and should be used to combat these reports, is being used widely enough, since a large number of people in this country do not know anything about it?