§ Mr. Raikes (by Private Notice)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the accurate forecast of the Budget proposals in a newspaper on sale at 3.45 p.m. yesterday, a copy of which has been sent to him, and if he will institute an inquiry into the source of the information.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Dalton)I very much regret to tell the House that the publication to which the hon. Member refers arose out of an incident which occurred as I was entering the Chamber to make my speech yesterday. In reply to questions put to me by the Lobby correspondent of the "Star" newspaper, I indicated to him the subject matter contained in the publication in question. I appreciate that this was a grave indiscretion on my part, for which I offer my deep apologies to the House.
§ Mr. RaikesWill the Chancellor of the Exchequer convey to that newspaper, apart from any indiscretion on his part, the very grave breach of journalistic honour on the part of a newspaper receiving such information to publish it in advance before it could properly appear?
§ Mr ChurchillMay I acknowledge on the part of the Opposition, the very frank manner in which the right hon. Gentleman has expressed himself to the House and our sympathy with him at the misuse of his confidence which has occurred?
§ Mr. Beverley BaxterMay I ask the Chancellor, since this involves the professional honour of journalists in general, did the Lobby correspondent in question know that it was a friendly and private if, perhaps, ill-judged statement, or did he think that it was for immediate publication?
§ Mr. DaltonI do not think that I should add to what I have said to the 552 House. I take the blame for having committed an indiscretion in my relationship with this Lobby correspondent whom I have known, as we have known so many of the Lobby correspondents over a period of years, and I do not think that it would be suitable for me to pass any judgment on him. I have apologised for my part in the matter, and I would prefer to leave it there.