HC Deb 12 July 1937 vol 326 cc850-1
15. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any reply to his representations to the Italian Government concerning radio propaganda in Palestine?

19. Mr. Anstruther-Gray

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make with regard to the broadcasts from Bari?

Mr. Eden

On 6th July I informed the Italian Ambassador of the impending publication of the Report of the Royal Commission on Palestine and expressed the hope that the Italian Government would co-operate by avoiding the issue from the Bari broadcasting station of any unfriendly comments. On 8th July, the Italian Ambassador communicated to me a personal message from Signor Mussolini to the effect that the Italian Government had taken all possible steps in order to meet the wish of His Majesty's Government and to prove their desire to ease the situation. On behalf of His Majesty's Government, I expressed gratification, which I am sure will be generally shared, at the receipt of this message. From information so far received, the undertaking given by Signor Mussolini has been fully carried out.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has already been a broadcast from Bari criticising the report and describing it as "an ill-omened document"?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Sir A. Sinclair

Is it not a fact that the Report of the Commission was described on the Bari wireless as "an ill-omened document"? If the right hon. Gentleman does not know, will he please inquire?

Mr. Eden

I will certainly do so, but, from the reports which I have received, that adjective did not appear. I would like to look into it; I have had no notice of it.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

If the Supplementary Question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman proves incorrect, can no steps be taken against those responsible for putting such questions?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the right hon. Gentleman inquire why such attacks were ever made over the State-controlled radio in Italy?

Mr. Eden

I think the House will agree with the action that the Government took, and we must await the result. I have no knowledge so far of any cause of complaint.

Colonel Wedgwood

Can we not jam the radio from Bari?