HC Deb 21 May 1941 vol 371 c1520
10. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Minister of Information what are the reasons which prevent the. immediate release of confirmed war news to the British public and its transmission to the United States of America?

Mr. Nicolson

News put out by the enemy is in many cases not "confirmed" news but news which the enemy are only too anxious for us either to confirm or to deny. Apart from this, my right hon. Friend knows of no reasons, other than security reasons, which prevent the immediate release of news.

Sir T. Moore

While I acknowledge the accuracy of the reply, is my hon. Friend not aware that there is really very considerable anxiety and a great eagerness in this country and in the United States that confirmed news should be available as rapidly as possible?

Mr. Nicolson

That is a point to which my right hon. Friend is giving very constant attention.