HC Deb 12 June 1940 vol 361 c1271W
Sir J. Mellor

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that certain leading newspapers, on 6th June, published details of tanks now being produced in England; and whether, as this is conducive to a general disregard of official exhortations to secrecy, he will take steps to discourage such disclosures even if they appear of no value to the enemy?

Mr. H. Morrison

References to tanks published in the Press of 6th June arose out of a Press visit to a tank works carried out under the auspices of the Ministry of Supply and with the consent of the War Office. No secret processes or information were disclosed to the Press; all photographs taken during the visit were submitted for technical examination by the Ministry of Supply; and all written matter and photographs were submitted to the Censor before publication. I am satisfied that the very detailed and carefully worked out procedure covering Press visits to arms works thoroughly safeguards the aspect of military secrecy and that on this occasion no information of any value to the enemy was disclosed or published.