27. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for War whether commanding officers have any authority to prevent or discourage a member of the Armed Forces from having letters or articles published in the Press under his own name on other than Army matters?
§ Sir J. GriggI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North Lambeth (Mr. G. Strauss) on 16th June.
§ Mr. G. StraussIf that answer was all-inclusive, may we take it from the answer to the present Question that there is no form of discouragement whatsoever on the part of commanding officers? Can the Minister give a direct answer to this question?
§ Sir J. GriggThe answer I gave before was, "No, Sir." There is no discouragement.
§ Mr. John DugdaleIs the Minister aware that the difficulty of obtaining such permission often makes it practically impossible for people to avail themselves of this opportunity?