§ Colonel Baldwin-Webbasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information why, on the occasion on Monday last of the King's visit to the headquarters of the coastal command of the Royal Air Force, the Ministry compelled the Central News Agency to hold back its censored report until the Ministry itself had issued its own version; why one of the chief phrases in the Central News report, which was eliminated by the censor, was incorporated by the Ministry of Information in its own report; and whether he can make a statement as to how long these methods are to continue?
§ Sir E. GriggThe statement in the first part of the question is not quite correct. It was arranged that, in addition to the reporters of the Central News and other British agencies, an officer attached to the Empire News Division of the Ministry1524W should attend as the representative of the Empire Press, and that all the reports should be released for issue simultaneously. This was done. The censored scripts of the reports have been examined and it is not clear to what particular phrase my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but, if he will communicate with me, I will gladly look further into the matter.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he is aware that the London correspondents of newspapers printed or published in neutral countries are experiencing considerable difficulty in transmitting news promptly because of the British censorship; and whether he will take steps to effect an immediate improvement?
§ Sir E. GriggMy Noble Friend is not aware that there is now any appreciable delay due to censorship in the transmission of the cables of London correspondents of newspapers in neutral countries; the average time taken in censorship of all outgoing Press cables during three consecutive days was found to be just over six minutes. In the past cases of delay have occurred, the majority of which were attributable, not so much to the censorship, as partly to the overloading of the lines with priority cable messages, and partly to mechanical difficulties, which have now been dealt with. My Noble Friend will gladly investigate any case in which it may be alleged that undue delay owing to censorship still exists.