HC Deb 21 March 1945 vol 409 cc816-7
71. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Information why a guidance notice was issued on 15th March to the Press by the Controller, Press Censorship, Ministry of Information giving guidance on how to deal with the Duke of Windsor's resignation from the Governorship of the Bahamas, though this subject has no relation to the war, for which the censorship and guidance system was set up; and who gave instructions for it to be issued.

Mr. Bracken

The guidance note in question was merely a piece of background information for the Press, connected with the official announcement of the Duke of Windsor's resignation. The purpose of such notes, which are clearly marked "For Guidance and Information Only," is well understood by the Press, and I cannot imagine that any editor confused this one with a censorship instruction or supposed that it in any way limited his freedom of observation or comment.

Mr. Shinwell

Was not this directive, issued by the Government, unique in its character, since it had nothing to do with the war effort, for which the Press censorship is responsible so far as information is concerned? Is it not also true that the directive provided for a "boost" of the activities of the Duke of Windsor while Governor of the Bahamas which was quite inaccurate? Who was responsible for issuing the instruction?

Mr. Bracken

First, no directive was issued.

Mr. Shinwell

Oh.

Mr. Bracken

A guidance note is not a directive. The Press do not take directives from the Ministry of Information. Second, I would like to say that this particular notice was put out at the request of the Colonial Office. Whether my hon. Friend is right in stating that the Duke of Windsor's administration in the Bahamas was over-praised in that guidance note or not is a matter for individual judgment.

Mr. Shinwell

Will my right hon. Friend answer the simple question that I put? Is it not unique for a guidance note of this character to be issued? The Press censorship is not usually available for such a purpose, but is exclusively confined to matters relating to the war effort.

Mr. Bracken

The Controller of Press Censorship issues a great number of guidance notices on all sorts of matters to the Press, but in this case I should have thought that the announcement would have been better made by the Colonial Office.

Mr. Thorne

Is the information published in the Press, that the Duke of Windsor is coming home again, true?