HC Deb 20 November 1951 vol 494 cc198-200
4. Mr. Frederick Peart

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory state of censorship in Korea; and what representations he proposes to make.

9. Mr. T. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of recent delays in the release of reports of actions in which British troops have been engaged, he will press for Commonwealth representation in the censorship at Eighth Army Headquarters in Korea.

13. Mr. Richard Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by correspondents at the policy and practice of the United Nations Organisation censorship at Eighth Army Headquarters in Korea; and if he will press for Commonwealth representation on this body.

Mr. Head

I have received a full statement of the circumstances which gave rise to the recent Press report, and I am satisfied that there is no justification for the suggestion that censorship is carried out in a spirit of bias or discrimination. I find that apart from this instance there has been remarkably little criticism of American field censorship in Korea by British correspondents in the theatre. The matter has already been represented to the American authorities by the correspondent who sent the Press report referred to, and I think that no further action is required. I should not in any event ask for Commonwealth participation in the censorship, as suggested, without prior consultation with the Commonwealth Governments concerned.

Mr. Peart

Is the Minister aware that this report was given by the "Daily Telegraph" correspondent re the holding up of the story of the gallant action of the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers? Am I to take it that the facts in that report are not correct?

Mr. Head

I have been into this, and I am satisfied that the reasons why this report was not released as early as it might have been are not due to any attempt to obscure the gallant action of the British troops on this occasion. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the real reason why this happened was because of the geographical position of those responsible for allowing these reports to be issued, and perhaps a lack of liaison with the subordinate who was detailed to release them. As I say, I am satisfied that there was no intent to obscure the gallant action of these British troops, and it is most unlikely that such a situation will arise again.

Mr. Driberg

If the right hon. Gentleman finds that the representations made by the correspondents do not lead to an improvement in the situation—because I can assure him that this is not an isolated instance—will he then consider having consultation with the other Commonwealth Governments on the lines he suggested?

Mr. Head

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that if there are any further numerous complaints of this nature, then we shall, of course, take up the question. The hon. Member mentions past instances of such a nature. I have not been able to discover them, and as far as I can find out the Americans have been most helpful in allowing the release of reports of these various matters.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Will the Minister say what are the present arrangements for reporting in Korea, who are the reporters, who appoints them, who controls them, are they controlled nationally or internationally, who edits the reports, and why are the reports so meagre and so vague?