§ 11. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there have been recent cases in which expenses incurred with private merchants in this country by foreigners enjoying diplomatic privileges have been ultimately met out of administrative funds at the disposal of the 1012 Foreign Office; and whether he can state the precise designation of these funds and the amounts which have been disbursed for this purpose during the past, few months?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONNo, Sir. No funds at the disposal of the Foreign Office have been expended in the manner suggested.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONHas the attention of the Foreign Office been drawn to the detailed statements appearing in the American Press and despatched from London by London representatives? If there be no foundation in fact for these statements, will the hon. Gentleman in the interests of good relations between this country and Afghanistan issue an official denial of them?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI had great difficulty in understanding to what the hon. Member refers. If he will kindly send me the references in the articles, I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs it not already within the knowledge of the Foreign Office that considerable public attention has been given in the foreign Press to detailed statements regarding the late visit of the King of Afghanistan?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI can only say that no such funds as are described by the hon. Member in his question have been used.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSDoes the hon. Member say that the Foreign Office are not aware of these publications in America and elsewhere?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIf the hon. Member will specify exactly what he means and will put a question, I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIf I hand the hon. Member a complete dossier of these statements will he look into them?