HC Deb 14 February 1940 vol 357 cc754-5
44. Colonel Wedgwood

asked the Home Secretary whether he will reconsider his refusal to allow Mr. Ivor Montagu to go to Russia as a representative of a British newspaper seeing that we are not at war with Russia, considering further the importance of having a friendly Englishman in touch with the Russian leaders and in a position to report on the Russian armed forces?

Mr. Peake

My right hon. Friend has given the most careful consideration to this application but he regrets that he is not prepared to modify his view that it would not be in the public interest to grant an exit permit in this case.

Mr. Thurtle

Arising out of the reply, is the Minister satisfied that Mr. Montagu is correctly described in this Question as a friendly Englishman?

Mr. McGovern

It is a printer's error.

Colonel Wedgwood

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether this refusal is personal to Mr. Montagu, whether I should be allowed to go, or whether it indicates hostility to Russia?

Mr. Peake

My right hon. and gallant Friend must understand that restrictions are placed upon foreign travel in time of war. Generally speaking the onus is on the applicant to show that his proposed journey is in the public interest. In this case my right hon. Friend cannot see that that burden of proof has been discharged.

Mr. Gallacher

Does the Minister mean that it is not in the public interest that people in this country should get information other than that which they get from the Goebbelised Press?

Colonel Wedgwood

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.