§ 42. Mr. MYERSasked the Prime Minister whether it was with his cognisance and approval that assistance was given last autumn by certain Government Departments to certain Russians in the preparation of imitations of a Moscow newspaper for use in propaganda in Russia against the Government of the Russian Soviet Republic; whether he knew at the time of his conversations with M. Kameneff that British officials were being employed and British public money expended on such propaganda; and whether the conduct of such propaganda is still part of the policy of the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe reply to each of the three parts of the question is in the negative. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is dealing with the matter in more detail in reply to the other question on the subject which the hon. Member has put down.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAs the subsequent question will not be reached, will the right hon. Gentleman say that, if the facts are as stated in that question, the Government will deal with the matter very severely indeed, and how can we expect propaganda not to be engaged in in this country if we permit it ourselves abroad?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer will be circulated. There certainly is no public money involved.