CAB38-23 — Page 62

Page 62

Page 62

Page 62

12

THE CHAIRMAN said that Mr. Sydney Brooks, in a recent letter to Lord Haldane, had expressed a hope of securing a favourable reception for the Bill by the Press.

MR. BRADE said that there were only six editors in favour of a Bill of this nature. He thought that it would be advisable to keep it in the background for the present. The Joint Committee might be told later that it might be necessary, if the present arrangements broke down, to take legislative action.

THE CHAIRMAN asked how the machinery of the proposed scheme would act in the case, say, where a Naval Commander-in-Chief proposed to take certain steps, which it would be inconvenient to have reported in the newspapers.

MR. BRADE replied that the Commander-in-Chief would telegraph to London, where the machinery for working the Press would be put in motion.

THE CHAIRMAN said that it would be very desirable to get the mechanics of the scheme reduced to writing for the information of the Committee of Imperial Defence. The scheme also required constant revision, and periodical reports to the heads of the Departments, as to its working.

LORD ESHER was of opinion that the Committee should state in their report that the proper solution was a Bill for the control of the Press. As, however, this solution seemed at present to be impracticable, the amicable compact with the Press was a useful compromise. Should there be a repetition of the conduct of the Press in 1911, legislative action would be imperative.

THE CHAIRMAN questioned whether in time of peace legislation would be as effective as a friendly arrangement. Though juries would undoubtedly convict after the outbreak of war, it was doubtful whether at other times they would view an offence on the part of an editor in a proper light.

SIR E. CROWE pointed out that, were the Eill passed in the form of the draft which was before the Committee, it could only be put into force by an Order in Council.

SIR G. GREENE suggested that the draft Bill be amended so as to be applicable only in time of war.

MR. DENNIS said that, if it were the intention to introduce the Bill on the outbreak of war, it would require to be redrawn.

SIR E. CROWE pointed out that the advantage of the Bill in its present form was, that it would remain upon the Statute Book for use in future wars.

MR. DENNIS said that it was a mistake to attempt to combine ordinary with emergency measures. He would like to know the history of the draft. It was apparent from the words "prime emergency" that it had been the intention to pass the Bill in time of peace as a measure to be enforced in a time of national danger.

THE CHAIRMAN said that the words were redundant and dangerous.

MR. DENNIS said that if the Bill was to cover future wars, a special clause would have to be added.

SIR E. CROWE asked whether the Committee wished for a permanent measure. He deprecated the inclusion of a clause so loosely worded that it could be dropped.

SIR G. GREENE was in favour of a permanent measure, to come into force on the outbreak of war or on mobilization.

MR. BRADE said that the Press would be reassured by the inclusion of a safe- guard such as an Order in Council. As regards the conditions in which the Act should be brought into force, he preferred those given in the Reserve Forces Act, where the wording was, “in case of imminent national danger or great emergency."

THE CHAIRMAN said that the Committee appeared to be agreed as to the desirability of the Bill being drawn up for the next war. The form of the draft Bill

Page 62

Page 62