§ Commander BELLAIRS(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether any members of the Government agreed to, or concurred in, a Resolution published in the Press to-day which is likely to be offensive to a friendly foreign Power?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Resolution referred to, which, however, cannot be offensive to a foreign friendly Power, was passed at one of the regular meetings of the Labour Parliamentary party. The Labour party must, in common with all other parties, reserve to itself the right of expressing independent opinions which do not necessarily reflect in all details, or in all ways, the opinion of His Majesty's Government.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs the Prime Minister aware that it was stated that he was present at this meeting, that the Resolution expresses warm sympathy and support of the Socialist party in Italy, and made grave reflections on the Prime Minister's party in Italy as trampling upon liberty and democracy; and does he 2128 think it is favourable to good relations with Italy if Ministers do not openly repudiate such sentiments when they are present at such meetings, or are alleged to be present?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am much obliged to the hon. and gallant Member for putting his question, but really he reads far more into the wording of that Resolution than there is in it. I very carefully examined it to-day. [An HON. MEMBER: "Read it."] Yes, I will; that is what I propose to do. The first part of the Resolution need not be read [HON. MEMBERS "Read it all."] The Resolution says:
That this meeting places on record its profound detestation of the crime committed upon Signor Matteotti, the secretary of the Italian Unitary Socialist party"—That is in accordance with the decision of the Italian Parliamentary parties themselves—and sends its warm sympathy and hearty support to the Socialist party of Italy in its struggle against the forces that are trampling upon the fundamental principles of liberty and democracy.Instead of that being a censure on the Prime Minister of Italy it does, as a matter of fact, follow his own declared statement since the crime was committed, and the political movements that have taken place in Italy since the revelation of the crime.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLHas the right hon. Gentleman taken steps to make it quite plain to the Italian Prime Minister what the Resolution means, as he has now explained—
§ Mr. McNEILLIf he has not, does he not think there is danger that the Italian Government may think—wrongly as he now explains—that these words really refer to the forces that are supporting the present Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAny explanation that may be asked for will be given on these lines.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it any more wrong to criticise the Italian Government than it is to criticise the Russian Soviet Government?