§ Mr. E. Granvilleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will propose, as a question of international cooperation, the abolition of the controls over the free flow of news and opinions from one country to another, to include radio and the Press.
Mr. McNeil:His Majesty's Government fully appreciate the desirability of encouraging the free flow of news and opinions from one country to another by Press, radio and other means. They have hastened to abolish wartime controls over information matters in this country and they would welcome any international action facilitating the free interchange of information and ideas as a means of advancing international understanding. The question is under active consideration by the United Nations. Freedom of Information is one of the subjects on which the Commission on Human Rights 10W of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations is to report and make recommendations. A proposal to call an International Press Conference is on the agenda for the next meeting of the United Nations Assembly in New York in September and this will no doubt lead to further international study of the promotion of freedom of information. His Majesty's Government will cooperate actively in this work in the hope that positive results will be obtained.