§ Mr. Boothbyasked the Minister of Information to what extent opinions publicly expressed in the United States of America which are adverse to, or critical of, this country, are subject to censorship over here and vice versa; and whether he will make representations to the United States Government with a view to securing a general relaxation of this particular form of censorship?
§ Mr. BrackenPublic expressions of opinion in the United States, however critical they may be, are not subject to British censorship, nor are British newspapers required to submit opinions about the United States to censorship. Commentaries and articles broadcast or cabled abroad automatically pass through censorship but no restriction is imposed unless they are such as to give a wholly distorted picture of British opinion or are calculated to throw suspicion on the good faith of either country in matters of primary importance to the war effort. I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that I should thrust unsought opinions on the American Government as to how they should conduct their censorship arrangements. Were I to do so I should certainly lay myself open to the rejoinder that anyone who is called Minister of Information should at least know that since 1776 Americans have preferred to manage their affairs without the aid of any member of the British Government.