HC Deb 27 February 1941 vol 369 cc610-1
15. Mr. Cocks

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange that files of the "Daily Worker" and the "Week" for a period of three months before the suppression of these journals shall be placed in the Library for the information of Members?

Mr. H. Morrison

The general character of the contents of these journals is, I think, fairly well known to hon. Members, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by my hon. Friend's proposal. I understand that the "Daily Worker" was, until its suppression, available to Members in the newspaper room of the House.

Mr. Cocks

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us are getting letters from bodies in our constituencies protesting against the suppression, and that it would be a great help to us to be able to see these journals? It would help us to answer those communications in a proper way. What possible objection can there be to our having the right to see these journals?

Mr. Morrison

There is no objection at all. Far from there being any objection, the paper was included among those in the newspaper room.

Mr. Shinwell

No.

Mr. Morrison

Yes. We provided copies for Members of Parliament as long as the paper existed, but the number of files available is limited, and we want them for our own purposes. If my hon. Friend wants any advice on how to answer his constituents, we shall be glad to help him.

Mr. Cocks

The Home Secretary told the House that it was not a case of one issue but of the general trend of these publications. We want to see the thing for ourselves.