STORMY DEBATE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20120, 14 December 1939, Page 5

STORMY DEBATE

HOUSE OF LORDS CENSORSHIP BUREAU CHARGES OF MUDDLING FORMER CHIEF’S CRITICISM AMUSING INCIDENTS (Reed. Dec. 14, 9 a.m.) LONDON. Dec. 12. The censorship bureau of the Ministry of Information again came under fire in the House of Lords when several peers alternatively astonished and amused the House with stories of early muddling. The stormy debate was wound up with assurances from Lord MacMillan that‘the Ministry was not a home of idlers. Lord Raglan pointed out that he had received £750 a year to examine illustrated papers. He was only able to find an hour’s work daily, whereupon he was asked if he wanted a private secretary. (Laughter). He thereupon resigned. Lord Raglan added that the Censorship Department was overpaid and over-staffed. The night staff did nothing. They arrived at midnight, went to camp beds in the bureau and stayed till morning. Two assistant censors were appointed to his department. Lady Examiners • He later found four lady examiners added, but for what purpose iie never discovered. They did nothing throughout the day. He informed a senior officer and the only reply to his complaint was the appointment of a fifth lady (renewed laughter.) Lord Raglan added that the photographic staff seemed hard at work stopping Die publication of photographs in London which were appearing in all the provincial papers. The Earl of Middleton said the time had come to emphasise the deepest indignation prevailing in all classes at the utter squandering of money on these and similar appointments. Unless the Government gave' a pledge to deal with the matter, lie would make the most unpleasant disclosures. Clearing Up Tiie Marquess of Dufferin and Ava complained that Lord MacMillan Lord Raglan’s successor, was forced to work 12 hours daily clearing up. Lord Raglan: 1 left a perfectly clean sheet. The Marquess of Dufferin and Ava: Our conceptions of a clean sheet differ. He added that Lord MacMillan was amply occupied. The staff was not redundant and was not excessively paid. Many were giving their services free.