M.P.'S WARNED

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 2, 2 July 1940, Page 8

M.P.'S WARNED

NO INDISCREET QUESTIONS

NOTE FROM PRIME MINISTER

(By Air Mall, from "The Post's" London Representative.) LONDON, June 7. Every M.P. has received a letter signed by the Prime Minister and Mr. | Attlee warning him against the danger of unwittingly giving information to the enemy by means of questions asked in Parliament. The letter asks for care in the drafting of questions—not only in order to avoid anything which might be useful to the enemy but also to prevent the causing of disquiet or creation of misconceptions among the public in Britain and abroad. Members are particularly warned to be cautious in the supplementary questions they fire at Ministers in an effort to obtain further information. "There have been instances recently when such questions have appeared to other members to be likely to convey information instead of asking for it," says the "Evening Standard." "Soi obviously incautious were some) queries that other members have shouted 'hush' in order to stop further inquiries. "Indignant and more discreet M.P.s have discussed plans for enforcing a greater sense of responsibility. One proposal was to set up a Committee to censor questions. That plan was not entertained, and it is hoped that the warning from the Prime Minister and the Lord Privy Seal will be effective."