HC Deb 19 April 1944 vol 399 cc188-9
33. Major Sir Derrick Gunston

asked the Minister of Information if, when reprinting the publication called "The Eighth Army," he will consider the advisability of deleting certain, controversial passages in which reference is made to highly-placed Army officers.

The Minister of Information (Mr. Brendan Bracken)

The Ministry of Information is not proposing to reprint this book.

Sir D. Gunston

In any similar publication in the future will my right hon. Friend make it clear that it is not an official document?

Mr. Bracken

That problem is quite easily solved. Every one of our books, except the one mentioned in this Question, hears the word "Official" on the front page.

Mr. Shinwell

Why does the Minister propose not to publish this book any further?

Mr. Bracken

Because I am a prudent keeper of the public purse. The total printing of this book ran to 1,500,000 copies and, so far, 1,175,000 have been sold.

Mr. Shinwell

If the right hon. Gentleman is a prudent keeper of the public purse, will he look at the number of officials he has in the United States?

Sir H. Williams

Do I understand that in future any document issued by a Government Department is not official unless the word "Official" is printed thereon? Is not that a new departure?

Mr. Bracken

I think some people really need instruction. It means only one extra word added to the book. With regard to the suggestion about the number of British officials in the United States, my hon. Friend the Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) has probably fallen into the error made yesterday by the Noble Lord the Member for King's Lynn (Lord Fermoy), who, in a Question, multiplied the number of British officials in the United States by seven.

Sir H. Williams

Surely any document issued by a Government Department is official, unless the contrary is stated thereon?

Mr. Bracken

I think that is a very good generalisation.

Sir H. Williams

Then why put the word "Official" on this document?