HC Deb 19 June 1950 vol 476 cc863-5
63. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure the freedom of British Press correspondents in Japan; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ernest Davies

I am unaware that there has been any infringement of the normal freedom accorded to Press correspondents in Japan. No special steps have been taken and none are contemplated.

Mr. Thomas

Has the attention of my hon. Friend been drawn to the experience of "The Times" correspondent, and would he make a statement?

Mr. Davies

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the case of Mr. Hawley, and it is true that General MacArthur called the attention of the head of the United Kingdom Liaison Mission to passages in certain of "The Times" correspondent's recent reports to which he took exception. His Majesty's Government drew the attention of "The Times" to this, but we do not propose to take any action in the matter.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Does my hon. Friend's reply mean that General MacArthur has interfered with the rights of British correspondents who report home from Tokyo?

Mr. Davies

No, Sir, but the attention of a number of correspondents has been drawn to what he considered to be inaccuracies in their reports, and that is all the action he took.

Mr. Driberg

Did my hon. Friend say that His Majesty's Government had drawn the attention of "The Times" newspaper to this matter? Does that mean that we are supporting General MacArthur's protest and advising "The Times" to interfere with their correspondents' freedom of reporting?

Mr. Davies

Certainly not. We consider that as the information reached us it was our duty to inform "The Times" of this information.

Mr. G. Thomas

Can my hon. Friend say whether "The Times" rejected the advice of my hon. Friend?

Mr. Davies

We gave no advice to "The Times" whatsoever, and "The Times" have taken no action in the matter so far as we are aware.