§ 25. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Information what action he has taken on 333 his decision to exercise a stricter control on Press messages from this country; whether statements made in Parliament containing criticism of the Government, or any of our Allies, or any member of the Administration will be censored; and if so, whether he will exercise the censorship himself?
§ Mr. BrackenCensorship of Press messages from this country is being carried out in accordance with the principles laid down in my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed), on 26th March. Messages correctly reporting statements made in Parliament are not censored, whether or not they contain criticism of members of the Government or of anyone else.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes the Minister say that no instruction has recently been issued which purports to censor statements made in this House which may reflect on the conduct of members of the Administration, including himself? Is he certain about that?
§ Mr. BrackenI am absolutely certain. I am the only person who could issue such an instruction, and I would not dream of issuing an instruction that criticisms of any member of the Administration—including myself—should not be properly reported.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the right hon. Gentleman do me the favour of making very careful inquiries into this, because I have some contrary information?
§ Mr. BrackenI am more than willing to make a careful inquiry, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me the information he has. I will certainly make an inquiry, because it would be a very grave matter indeed if the hon. Gentleman's statement was accurate.