Journalists (Confidential Information) (Hansard, 18 March 1963)

§ 11. Mr. BROCKWAY
To ask the Minister without Portfolio what pledges are required of journalists and accredited Lobby correspondents by Government Departments when confidential information is provided.

§ Mr. Brockway
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This Question deals with all Government Departments and not only the Home Department; in particular the Foreign Office. Therefore, it was put down to the Prime Minister. It has now 10 been transferred to the Minister without Portfolio. A good many hon. Members are becoming a little concerned because the Prime Minister so frequently transfers Questions to other Departments.

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Gentleman has been a Member of this House for quite a long time, if I may say so, and I think he knows that the transferring of Questions is not a matter for the Chair.

§ Mr. Deedes
None. Sir.

§ Mr. Brockway
Will the right hon. Gentleman be a little more forthcoming? Is he not aware that journalists and lobbyists when they go to Government Departments, and even when there in conversation with Ministers, are repeatedly requested not to convey the source of their information? As that is the case, is it not outrageous that the Government should now he committing two men to prison for declining to state the source of their information?

§ Mr. Deedes
The hon. Gentleman is raising matters somewhat wider than should be answered in terms of question and answer. I hope that we shall have an opportunity to discuss this and other matters. Meanwhile, the Press, and in particular the Lobby, have their own code of conduct which governs them in such dealings, and, as hon. Members on both sides know, they observe it.

§ 12. Mr. Taverne
asked the Minister without Portfolio what instructions have been given to Ministers about giving confidential information to the Press.

§ Mr. Deedes
No special instructions have been given.

§ Mr. Taverne
As journalists have now been compelled to reveal their sources and have been imprisoned for not doing so, will the Minister advise other Ministers in future to keep records of confidential information they may give and to publish those records if required? If he does not intend to give this advice, will he say whether he accepts the non-disclosure of confidential information as an important point of principle and approves the stand taken by the imprisoned journalists?

§ Mr. Deedes
The hon. Gentleman raises matters somewhat wider than the Question. He is well aware that the 11 conduct of correspondents, Ministers and hon. Members on both sides is governed by a series of understandings which are well accepted by both parties, and I see no reason to accept the advice he has offered.

§ Mr. Fletcher
Would the hon. Gentleman say whether in his opinion the recent imprisonment of two journalists is likely to have any effect on the existing practice as between the Lobby and Ministers?

§ Mr. Deedes
No; frankly I do not think it will.