HC Deb 02 February 1938 vol 331 cc207-8
3. Captain Ramsay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to make representations to the Soviet Government concerning the untrue statements regarding Great Britain and the British Empire contained in books issued by the Soviet Government for use in the Russian schools this year?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir. The Soviet Government are already aware of the views of His Majesty's Government about propaganda; and I have come to the conclusion that it is not necessary to make special representations regarding school-books.

Miss Wilkinson

Might not representations be made, in reference to school books in this country, about the untrue statements that they make about Soviet Russia?

Mr. Eden

I said that it is not proposed to raise the matter.

13. Mr. Neil Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from the Soviet Government concerning the untrue statements regarding the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics contained in books issued to schools under the Board of Education in England and Wales and the Scottish Office in Scotland?

Mr. Eden

I have received no representations in this sense.

Mr. Maclean

Does the Foreign Secretary intend to take the matter up with his colleagues, the President of the Board of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland, with regard to the books being presently issued?

Captain Ramsay

Will my right hon. Friend see that the same formula is applied to propaganda put out by the Anglo-Russian Parliamentary Committee?

Mr. Eden

I hope that all concerned will take note of these two divergent points of view.

Mr. Petherick

Would not a more suitable person to raise this question be the Russian Ambassador rather than hon. Members opposite?

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