Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Information. – in the House of Commons at on 1 October 1941.
Sir Edward Keeling
, Twickenham
asked the Minister of Information whether any steps were taken to prevent the British Press from publishing the Christian names, ages, relationships and portraits of the five boys who crossed the Channel to join the Free French forces, and from stating the part of occupied France from which they carried and whether he is aware that their parents or guardians are likely to be identified and punished?
Mr Ernest Thurtle
, Shoreditch
Publicity in this case was only given after consultation with the Free French authorities in this country, who agreed that there was no objection to the publication of photographs of these boys.
Sir Edward Keeling
, Twickenham
Did the Free French agree to the other four categories of particulars being published?
Mr George Strauss
, Lambeth North
May I ask whether the boys were consulted?
Mr Ernest Thurtle
, Shoreditch
I am unable to say whether the Free French authorities agreed to the other particulars being published, but I do not think the boys themselves were consulted.
Sir Edward Keeling
, Twickenham
Is my hon. Friend aware that this is a very serious matter, and will he take steps to see that this sort of thing does not happen again?
Mr Ernest Thurtle
, Shoreditch
I will certainly draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to the observations made by my hon. Friend.
Mr William Thorne
, West Ham Plaistow
Did the boys object to having their photos taken?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
