HC Deb 09 September 1942 vol 383 cc133-4
22. Sir H. Williams

asked the Minister of Information whether he has any statement to make about the leakage of information in respect of the Prime Minister's visit to Moscow and in respect of the publication in this country on 17th August of the fact that he had left Moscow by aeroplane that day; and why several differing versions of the Prime Minister's farewell message to Mr. Stalin were published in this country?

Mr. Bracken

No, Sir. I have no knowledge of any leakage. The message about the Prime Minister's departure from Moscow on 17th August was released from Russia by the Censors on the spot, and its publication in this country was merely a consequence of that release. The Prime Minister's farewell message to Premier Stalin was issued in Russia and in the Russian language. The differing English versions were due to the different translations made by the news agencies who carried the message.

Sir H. Williams

With regard to the release of the news of the Prime Minister's departure from Moscow, can my right hon. Friend say why two and a half hours after it was published on the tape it was cancelled?

Mr. Bracken

I have enough trouble in looking after the Ministry of Information in London, without attempting to look after the Ministry of Information in Moscow.

Sir H. Williams

But on the tape in this country, at about 5 o'clock on the day in question, it was announced that the Prime Minister had left Moscow in the Liberator plane in which he had arrived. Some two hours later the tape machine cancelled that announcement.

Mr. Bracken

Well, it did not do so under the instructions of the Government. It was just an aberration of the people responsible.

Mr. Stokes

Had not the Prime Minister himself rendered the whole position ridiculous by telling the Press of his intending departure?