§ 47. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Prime Minister if he will end the unconstitutional practice of certain Ministers in refusing informaton to Welsh Members of Parliament on issues of great importance to the people of Wales when such information is frequently given to the Press by individuals who are not responsible to Parliament; and if he will take steps to control these officers.
§ The Prime MinisterI understand that my hon. Friend is referring to a Press conference held recently by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, on the authority of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for 1655 War, to correct erroneous and very exaggerated reports of the Army's actions and intentions in Wales which had resulted in a protest meeting in Wales on 22nd March. I am informed by my right hon. Friend that there was nothing in the communication made to the Press which he was not ready and anxious to give to Welsh Members of Parliament, and the substance of the information was in fact given beforehand to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Watkins) by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office. I do not think any action on my part is called for.
§ Mr. DaviesIs not my right hon. Friend aware that as late as last Monday a long statement appeared in the Press by the officer commanding the Western Command giving information that Welsh Members of Parliament have not yet been able to elicit from any one of the Service Ministers; and may I ask him if he is not really better informed—in view of the repeated representations Welsh Members have made to him—than the answer he has just given would appear to indicate?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. My information is that the information was communicated to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor and I should have thought that hon. Members in Wales would be better informed than I gather is the case from the rather vague impressions they had that an enormous area was being taken, which is not the case.
§ Mr. Emrys RobertsIs not the Prime Minister aware that the G.O.C. Western Command gave a Press Conference last week dealing with matters of high policy about which hon. Members for Wales who have been in correspondence with the Government were unable to obtain information, and will he say whether that further conference met with the Government's approval?
§ The Prime MinisterI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. WatkinsIs the Prime Minister willing to look at the information I have received from the War Office and consider it in conjunction with the Press statement issued at Chester last Monday, and will he inform the House why the Welsh news 1656 yesterday gave information with regard to the county of Brecon which was not made known to any one except the B.B.C.?
§ The Prime MinisterI will, of course, look at anything which the hon. Member cares to send me on this matter, but I am afraid I have not seen the report to which he refers.