HC Deb 04 December 1946 vol 431 cc340-2
72. Mr. John McKay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British Press representatives there are in Poland; if the number will be increased to report on the election campaign and is the Polish Government prepared to encourage more Press representation during the campaign period.

74. Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the names and nationalities of the representatives of British newspapers and periodicals now in Poland, showing in each case the publication which he, or she, represents.

Mr. McNeil

As it is long, I will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. McKay

Would it not be better if some of the reliable papers in this country, such as the "Manchester Guardian" and "The Times", would employ British subjects instead of a Pole, and would it not be better if "Reynolds' News" employed a British subject to report instead of a Hindu?

Mr. Speaker

This is becoming another speech.

Following is the answer:

There are now no staff correspondents of any British newspaper or agency in Poland. I understand that correspondents who regularly send despatches to British newspapers and agencies are Mr. Joel Cang (Polish citizen), for "The Times", "Manchester Guardian", and "Jewish Chronicle"; Miss Ruth Lloyd (United States citizen) for the British United Press; Mrs. Flora Grusen (United States citizen by birth, married to a Canadian) for the "Daily Express" and the "Observer". In addition Mrs. Rhoda Miller (United States citizen) and Mr. John de Silva (British Indian subject), who are working for Telepress, are understood to write occasionally for the "Economist" and "Reynolds' News" respectively. News agencies are represented by Mr. Larry Allen (United States citizen), who is a staff correspondent of the Associated Press.

His Majesty's Government are anxious to see an increased number of British journalists in Poland before and during the elections. It is understood that most of the principal British newspapers will be sending correspondents out for this occasion.

As regards the question whether the Polish Provisional Government is prepared to encourage more Press representation during the period of the election campaign, spokesmen of that Government have frequently stated that foreign correspondents have encountered and will en-counter no obstruction in the carrying out of their duties. Except in the case of Mr. Derek Selby, the renewal of whose permission to remain in Poland was refused, no correspondent has been forced to leave Poland. Nor is any case known of a correspondent finally failing to receive a Polish entry visa. I hope, therefore, that no difficulties will arise, and that reliable British correspondents will be enabled to report on the conduct of the elections.