Skip to main content

Government Offices (Press Members)

Volume 103: debated on Wednesday 6 March 1918

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

50.

asked the Prime Minister if he can state the names of news paper proprietors, editors, and members of the Press who are either directly or indirectly holding office, paid or otherwise, under the Government at the present time, and the nature of such office?

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House why he is not prepared to take such a course, and what reasons there are against it?

I think the reasons are quite obvious. There is a very large number of gentlemen connected with the Press who are helping the Government in all sorts of capacities, and to make any distinction of the kind would be invidious in the highest degree.

Is the right hon. Gentle man not aware that there is an increasing impression that our present Government is Press-ridden, and will he give an opportunity to make a clear statement?

Is it not the fact that after the very frank, courteous, and comprehensive speech which the Prime Minister delivered to the Unionist War Committee yesterday — [Hon. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will give the facts to the House which were given by the Prime Minister yesterday to the Unionist War Committee?

I do not know what facts were given, but I am quite prepared to say that if the House at any time desires a discussion on any question we will be quite ready to give the opportunity.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether, on some convenient occasion, such as the Report of the Vote of Credit, the Prime Minister would make a statement in reference to this matter?

Obviously, I can not myself reply to that question, but I should think, and, at all events, if I were in his place it would be the course I should adopt — I should be prepared to discuss it after I knew what was the point with which I had to deal.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it a most invidious distinction for the Prime Minister to make to explain this Press matter to the Unionist War Committee and not to the House generally?

That really seems to me very ridiculous. Surely the Prime Minister, like any other member of the Government, is entitled to meet any body he wishes which makes representations to him?

If the Independent Members of the House make representations, will he meet them?