§ Mr. J. Dugdaleasked the Minister of Information whether he has considered the copy sent to him of the resolution of protest passed by the Birmingham branch of the National Union of Journalists against the alleged unfair treatment meted out to the Birmingham evening Press on the occasion of General Smuts' speech to both Houses of Parliament and on various other occasions; and whether he has any statement to make?
§ Mr. BrackenYes, Sir. The evening Press generally had good reason to feel unfairly treated in not being warned of the last minute decision to allow Field Marshal Smuts' address to be broadcast "live." An apology was issued to them on the same evening. But the Birmingham Branch of the National Union of Journalists are in error in supposing that
there have been innumerable occasions on which embargoes have been timed to give; the B.B.C. an advantage over the Press.Embargoes on the issue of news are never imposed except for reasons of security or in order to assist the work of the daily Press.