§ 7. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the action of a military intelligence officer in attempting to prevent certain Press photographs being taken on the arrival of the Russian Military Mission; by what authority this attempt was made; whether he is aware of the effective protest that was made; and whether he will see that no similar incident of this nature occurs again?
§ Mr. LawYes, Sir. No authority was given to prevent any Press photographs being taken on the arrival of the Russian Military Mission. On the contrary, the Public Relations Department of the War Office was at pains to see that photographers and news reel operators were on the spot for the very purpose of taking such photographs. The mistake was due to a misunderstanding on the part of a staff officer and was immediately put right on the spot by the senior Army officer who had gone to the station to meet the Mission. I am sure that there could be no repetition of such an incident.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the hon. Gentleman aware of any similar incident respecting any other military mission, and does not he agree that this particular residue of yesterday's hatred and prejudice is extremely absurd?
§ Mr. Speakerrose—