HC Deb 24 November 1948 vol 458 cc1231-2
24. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the result of his investigations into the circumstances in which a telegram was sent to his Department by Press Officer, Nigeria, containing a suggestion for the exclusive use of its contents by two specified newspapers.

Mr. Creech Jones

Yes, Sir. I have identified the telegram in question. The suggestion in this telegram that it should be exclusive for two papers was due to a local misinterpretation of a remark by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State that its contents would be of particular interest to those papers. My hon. Friend had no intention of suggesting that circulation of the message should be limited in any way, and he had made arrangements before his tour began that all messages relating to it would be sent to Reuters Agency and to those Colonial specialist papers in London most closely concerned with West Africa. The telegram in question was sent to them at the time when copies were passed to "Reynolds News" and the "Daily Herald" and it was therefore available to the whole of the Press through Reuters and the linked agency of the Press Association.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that his officers in Colonial territories now understand that information services should be available to all newspapers and agencies, and that they are not to act as exclusive correspondents?

Mr. Creech Jones

I answered that question a fortnight ago.

Mr. Benn Levy

Have my right hon. Friend's investigations disclosed how it comes about that these private official communications come to have been accessible to hon. Members of this House?

Mr. Creech Jones

I think the telegram was issued with these words on it. These words were struck out, but it was an unfortunate mistake in my own office.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

Does the right hon. Gentleman regret that this matter should have been made public and an explanation been given of it?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Cobb

Will my right hon. Friend say how it is that hon. Gentlemen opposite came to see this telegram?

Mr. Creech Jones

I have no information on that point.

Mr. Piratin

M.I.5.