§ 34. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that cabled messages from this country 1918 to the Free Press Journal of Bombay and other newspapers frequently have portions of the messages deleted but without information being given to the recipients of the extent or nature of the deletions; and whether he will ensure that the censorship more reasonably operates so that only references of a specific military nature become liable to deletion.
§ Mr. AmeryWhile the Government of India have reserved the right to scrutinise any incoming message not only from the purely military aspect but in the light of their knowledge of conditions in India, I am confident that the number of deletions is in practice very small. The Government of India regularly intimate to me by telegram the more important deletions and the reasons for them, and this information is passed on to the individual correspondents concerned for their confidential guidance.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the Minister aware that editors in India do not know what is deleted, and that sometimes messages are almost incomprehensible? Could not that practice be stopped?
§ Mr. AmeryYes, Sir. Information is supplied to correspondents here for their guidance, so they shall not make the mistakes again.
§ Mr. SorensenCan the editors in India be informed what deletions have been made from the messages which they do receive?
§ Mr. AmeryThat would give them the opportunity of publishing precisely what they are expected not to publish.
§ Mr. SorensenBut cannot they be told?