HC Deb 12 December 1938 vol 342 cc1585-6
23. Sir P. Harris

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet had any reply from the German Government in response to the British Government's protest against allegations made about certain British public men following the assassination in Paris of a German diplomat; and whether these allegations have yet been withdrawn?

The Prime Minister

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 16th November, to which I have nothing to add.

Sir P. Harris

Do the Government associate themselves with these very offensive allegations against leading public men in this country?

Mr. Pilkington

Have the equally offensive allegations about British troops been withdrawn?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Has any protest been made about the German newspapers which referred to Lord Baldwin as a "guttersnipe"?

The Prime Minister

I have only seen one such report, which refers to a paper of no particular importance. Such comments as that to which the hon. Member refers do no harm to Lord Baldwin, though they may harm the reputation of the paper concerned.