WAR NEWS SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1939, Page 6

WAR NEWS SERVICE

CRITICISED IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

MR ATTLEE'S STRICTURES.

NEED OF INVESTIGATION

ADMITTED.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received This Day. 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 26.

The House of Commons cheered Mr C. R. Attlee, Leader of the Opposition, when he was speaking for the first time since his illness. He paid a tribute to Polish heroism and added that he was disturbed because the economic side of the war had not found recognition in the composition of the War Cabinet, which should be composed of people dealing with functions and not with departments. Mr Attlee added: “Our resources are not mobilised and our personnel not utilised as they should be. I have complete faith in ultimate victory, but the morale of our people will be maintained by telling them the truth. Too little of the truth is dangerous. The Ministry of Information tends to be a Ministry to withhold information.” Sir E. Grigg stated, amid jeers from all parts of the House, that only fortythree journalists were employed out of a staff of a thousand at the Ministry of Information. The Minister realised that the situation required investigation (loud cheers). MORE ATTACKS COMPLAINTS IN HOUSE OF LORDS DEMAND FOR BETTER NEWS SERVICE. (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, September 26. In the House of Lords, Lord Strabolgi vigorously raised the question of the censorship, the upshot being that Earl Stanhope promised to make inquiries. Lord Strabolgi referred to the Ministrv of Information passing reports of the Queen’s return from Scotland, then cancelling, and then releasing the news. He asked how long this sort of' thing was to continue. . The Labour Party was most dissatisfied with the whole conduct of the Ministry of Information and demanded a change. Lord MacMillan said the 8.8. C. vzas independent and not under his control. Lord Strabolgi: “That is very alarming. We thought Lord MacMillan was in charge.” Earl Stanhope said his impression was that the Postmaster-General remained in charge. LABOUR PROTEST DEEP DISSATISFACTION. (Received This Day, 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, September 26. The National Council of Labour has issued a statement that it is deeply dissatisfied with the activities ■>!' the Ministry of Information and the 8.8. C. in regard to the supply and release of news.