§ 36. Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the views expressed by the paper "Truth," which are those of the British Union of Fascists, and contain sneers at America and Russia; and, in view of the danger to the national war effort, will he take appropriate steps to deal with this publication, either directly, or through the Paper Control Board?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIf this or any other paper infringes the provisions of the Defence Regulations, it becomes my duty to consider taking appropriate action, but it is the desire of the House and of the Government that there shall be the minimum of interference with the liberty of the Press, and as my right hon. Friend will recognise, the strong objection which he or I may feel to certain articles is not in itself a ground for action under those Regulations.
§ Mr. WedgwoodWhile this paper may be moderate in its comments at present, what will be the action of such a Quisling paper if the Germans ever come here? Will not they have a supply of paper and machinery for acting as the organ of the new Government? Will the right hon. Gentleman take that point of view into account in regard to the publication of this wretched rag?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf the Germans did achieve that very high degree of success, I should imagine that they would take their own steps.
§ Mr. ShinwellMy right hon. Friend's answer is very satisfactory and we appreciate his desire to accord freedom to the Press, but does that not also apply to the "Daily Worker"?
§ Mr. WedgwoodI will bring the matter up on the Adjournment, with extracts from the paper.