CAB38-23 — Page 60

Page 60

Page 60

Page 60

10

THE CHAIRMAN said that, assuming that the Press would comply with a warning not to publish certain information, there was still to be considered the case when action might be taken by a local naval or military authority and reported in the newspapers before knowledge of the event had reached the Admiralty or War Office.

MR. BRADE said this question was the chief subject for discussion at the next meeting of the Joint Committee. He hoped to be able to rely upon the sense of the Press.

LORD ESHER asked whether the Press Associations could control even unimportant local newspapers.

MR. BRADE replied that the Associations were very highly organized, and included every description of newspaper.

THE CHAIRMAN agreed that the tendency of modern journalism was to come under the control of syndicates. He knew that a remarkable number of newspapers in Lancashire and Yorkshire had been absorbed by companies, and the process of amalgamation was likely to continue. Lord Northcliffe had explained to him that there was no chance for a modern newspaper to stand alone.

He thought that efforts should be concentrated upon improving the machinery set up by Mr. Brade and Sir Graham Greene; but, if possible, there should be some power to enforce a penalty for breaches of patriotism.

MR. BRADE said that the less said to the Press about a Bill at the present time, the better. Any mention of it would kill the Joint Committee.

THE CHAIRMAN said that a Bill must obviously be introduced for the control of the Press in war.

MR. BRADE agreed, but advised a postponement of its introduction until the Joint Committee should be more fully organized. Were the machinery of this Committee to fail, there would be a strong argument for legislation in peace time.

THE CHAIRMAN said that in these circumstances the Bill need not be mentioned; but it should be kept ready to be acted upon on the outbreak of war.

LORD ESHIER asked how many measures it was contemplated Parliament would pass on the outbreak of war.

THE SECRETARY said that at present there were only four Bills proposed.

SIR E. CROWE pointed out that the friendly arrangement with the Press did not provide against the communication of undesirable information to the foreign

newspapers.

MR. BRADE doubted whether any machinery could be devised to cover this contingency. He had, however, explained in his note that the Manager of the Press Association represented other news agencies as well as Reuter's.

ADMIRAL TROUBRIDGE said that he was of opinion that in peace reliance should be placed upon the friendly arrangement, but that a Bill for the control of the Press should be passed immediately a time of tension should arise.

LORD ESHER said that the proposal admitted the possibility of a breakdown of the friendly arrangement. The time when its collapse would have the most serious consequences would be the precautionary period.

ADMIRAL TROUBRIDGE said that he did not agree with the declaration of a precautionary period; it existed always for the Navy.

GENERAL HENDERSON said that it was a useful phrase for the land forces.

THE CHAIRMAN said that the official view of the precautionary period was defined in the report of the Standing Sub-Committee on the Co-ordination of Depart- mental Action on the Outbreak of War, a report which had been approved by the Committee of Imperial Defence. The statement was as follows:-

}

4

Page 60

Page 60Page 61