HC Deb 04 February 1953 vol 510 cc1833-4
27. Lieut.-Colonel Hyde

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the remarks about the Beaver-brook Press, contained in the current issue of "London Diplomatic Correspondence," a survey of British Press comment sent out by his Department to German newspapers, news agencies and radio correspondents, represents the views and policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

My right hon. Friend accepts full responsibility for the fact that these words appeared. Any estimate of the influence of individual newspapers is a matter of opinion, and not one upon which Her Majesty's Government are called upon to form—still less to express—a collective opinion.

Lieut.-Colonel Hyde

While appreciating my right hon. and learned Friend's explanation of this matter, might I ask him whether he does not agree that it would be better if in future this publication in his Department did not single out any particular section of the Press for comment, and confined itself to its proper function of giving factual extracts from the Press?

Mr. Lloyd

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that this extreme sensitivity on the part of a certain part of the Press which is not particularly reluctant itself to criticise other people has been noted.

Mr. Jay

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether these remarks represent the views of the Prime Minister?