§ 3. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that certain persons who have had passports granted them to proceed to the United States have there made public speeches liable to misunderstanding and to cause trouble; and whether, in the event of other persons leaving these shores on a similar errand, he will give instructions or demand promises not to speak in public, so as to prevent difficulties arising?
§ Lord R. CECILI do not think that the number or gravity of such cases, if any exist, would justify a preventive censorship of the kind proposed by the hon. Member. More harm is done by certain questions and speeches in this House than by any such cause as that alluded to.
§ Mr. KINGHas the Noble Lord inquired into the very definite case which I gave to him or to his superior, the Secretary of State? If he has not done so will he look into this matter?
§ Lord R. CECILIf my right hon. Friend (Mr. Balfour) has been given any information by the hon. Member he had no doubt inquired into it.
§ Mr. SNOWDENDoes the Noble Lord mean to imply by deprecating questions in this House that the Foreign Office is to be able to do just as it likes without any Parliamentary control whatever?
§ Lord R. CECILI do not deprecate all questions; only some of them.