Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 28 October 1947.
Mr George Thomas
, Cardiff Central
12:00,
28 October 1947
asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the reasons for his Department arranging a press conference for Major Farran on his return from Palestine; and whether he now proposes to grant similar facilities to other members of the army returning from that country.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
This interview was arranged in response to numerous requests received from the Press. In view of the very exceptional circumstances in which Major Farran returned to this country, I do not consider that the second part of the Question arises.
Mr George Thomas
, Cardiff Central
Can my right hon. Friend say whether the circumstances of a court-martial will in future entitle the members of the Armed Services to a Press conference?
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
That question appears to be highly hypothetical, but if exceptional circumstances justify a Press conference, I should certainly not raise any objection.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
