Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Information whether, in view of public apprehension about matters daily appearing in certain sections of the Press, he will introduce legislation to indicate the source from which the information is derived, and to provide that all articles in various sections of the Press shall have a star or other indication mark to show that they are the work of the Press relations officers and paid publicity agents?
§ Mr. BrackenBritish editors are of a robust breed. Their wastepaper baskets have usually been the receptacles of matter submitted by paid publicity agents. And though editors give patient consideration to the suggestions made by public relations officers they show an acute sense of discrimination in dealing with this spate of words. And so I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion. The less the Government meddles with the duties of editors the better.