§ Mr. W. A. Robinsonasked the Minister of Information why it was that the B.B.C. was allowed on Sunday, 19th March, 1944, to broadcast details of the exploits of the Royal Naval 2nd Assault Group, whereas the Press, which had the information some weeks ago, was re- 1263W quested to refrain from publication at that time; and why this priority was given to the B.B.C.
§ Mr. BrackenThe whole of this story was in fact released for everyone, Press and radio, at the same time, namely, 6.15 p.m., on Sunday, 19th March. The hon. Member will appreciate that, as radio bulletins were coming out continuously, whereas the British papers could not come out until next morning, the inevitable result was that the B.B.C. broadcast the story before it appeared in the Press. The newspapers obtained their advance knowledge of the story (in common with the B.B.C.) through a visit of their representatives arranged by the Admiralty for the purpose. For security reasons it was a condition of this facility that the story covered by it should not be published until a later release time fixed by the Admiralty. That time was chosen by them at 6.15 p.m. on the 19th March as the first day when the news could safely be released. The circumstances of the release of this story were special. They involved some conflict between two principles to both of which the Government has always attached much importance: the holding of an even balance between the Press and radio on the one hand, and the speediest possible release of all communiqués dealing with operational news on the other. I am discussing the matter with the Admiralty to see whether it would be possible to work out a procedure to reconcile these two principles on special occasions of the kind referred to in the question.