§ 4. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it was in accordance with instructions given by His Majesty's Government that the British Ambassador in Tokyo informed the Japanese Government that His Majesty's Government strongly disapproved of the views expressed in a leading article in the "Times" of 18th November respecting the then pending Japanese-German Agreement; and whether the British Ambassador in Moscow is instructed to make similar démarches to the Soviet Government when articles of an unfriendly nature appear in the British Press respecting that Government?
§ Mr. EDENHis Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo did not make a communication to the Japanese Government in the terms represented by the hon. Member. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some of the most responsible newspaper offices in Fleet Street the general view is held, as a result of that correspondence, that such disapproval was conveyed, and are the Government doing nothing in the matter?
§ Mr. EDENI think that what happened was that the Ambassador stated that what appeared in the "Times" was not necessarily an expression of the views of His Majesty's Government. That is a perfectly correct declaration. Of course, the Press is free in this country, but that is not always appreciated abroad.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether His Majesty's Government actually approve of the view expressed in the "Times" on that occasion?