HC Deb 01 July 1936 vol 314 c387
33 and 34. Mr. SHORT

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether the Palestine Government are keeping a record of the broadcasts from Bari in Arabic, so that they may be available for any Royal Commission in the future;

(2) whether he is aware of the contents of the messages which are being broadcast in Arabic from the Italian station of Bari; that these broadcasts are defaming the British troops and are calculated Lo incite the Arabs to rebellion against the Palestine Government; and whether any representations have been made to those responsible?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Transcripts of some of these broadcasts are kept on record. I am aware of the character of certain broadcast messages from Bari in the past and, as has been more than once stated in this House, representations have been made to the Italian Government. I have not, however, received any report that recent broadcasts have included defamation of British troops, and I am causing inquiry to be made as to this.

Mr. SHINWELL

What was the nature of the reply to the representations made to the Italian Government?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

That is a question for the Foreign Secretary.