HC Deb 26 June 1939 vol 349 cc9-10
12. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the recommencement of anti-British propaganda in the Italian Press; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any action in view of the undertaking of the Italian Government to prohibit such propaganda?

17. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Prime Minister whether he will call the attention of the Italian Government to the revival of Italian publicity and propaganda affecting British interests generally, and in India, Palestine and Arabia generally, which is an infraction of the provisions of Annex 4 of the Anglo-Italian Agreement of 16th April, 1938, and likely to impair those good relations which that Agreement sought to establish?

The Prime Minister

His Majesty's Government have noted the recrudescence of attacks upon this country in the Italian Press, to which attention is directed by these questions. While regretting these proceedings which are by no means calculated to maintain those good relations between the two peoples which was the object of the Agreement, they do not at present propose to take official notice of them.

Mr. Henderson

Is it not as important to-day to prevent this kind of propaganda as it was when the Anglo-Italian Agreement was signed;

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is this not a grave violation of the Anglo-Italian Agreement, and will not the Prime Minister consider making a strong protest against such violation?

The Prime Minister

I would do so if I thought a protest would do any good.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Has the Prime Minister ever considered the suggestion that half an hour should be put at his disposal on the Italian wireless and that Signor Mussolini should have half an hour on the British wireless?