HC Deb 10 July 1940 vol 362 cc1137-8
1. Mr. Mander

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government will now consider the desirability of granting official recognition to a Czecho-Slovak Government on the same lines as that granted to the Polish Government, bearing particularly in mind the recognition already granted to the National Czecho-Slovak Committee and the Czecho-Slovak Army, the existence of a Czecho-Slovak Legation in London, and the importance of placing all Allies in the same political position?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)

The Czecho-Slovak National Committee have made a request on the lines indicated by the hon. Member. This is being sympathetically considered, but I am not in a position to make a statement at present.

Mr. Mander

If I put down a Question in a week's time, does my right hon. Friend expect that he will be able to give a definite answer then?

Mr. Butler

I hope so.

Mr. Mander

Will my right hon. Friend in this connection bear in mind the fine story of Czech loyalty to the Allied cause disclosed in the Press this morning?

Mr. Butler

I will certainly bear that in mind.

13. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Information why the Czech national anthem is not played when the national anthems of other Allied nations are broadcast; and, as this is causing concern to Czech supporters of the Allied cause, will he see that this distinction between the Czechs and our other Allies is removed?

The Minister of Information (Mr. Duff Cooper)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer just given by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander). This answer made it clear that the recognition of a Czecho-Slovak Government is under consideration, and meanwhile, I am afraid that the B.B.C. cannot include the Czech national anthem among the national anthems of Allied nations.

Mr. Lipson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his answer implies that his Ministry does not regard the Czechs as an Allied nation, and also that his answer will cause very great disappointment to Czechs throughout the world?

Mr. Cooper

I should be very sorry to cause any such impression. The official status of the present Czech Committee in London, as my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has just informed the House, is under consideration, and until that is recognised as the Czecho-Slovak Government, for reasons of procedure we cannot include Czecho-Slovakia as a recognised country and as a recognised Ally, although we are well aware that tremendous services are being performed in the Allied cause by the Czechs.

Mr. Lipson

Does not my right hon. Friend, in his capacity as Minister of Information, realise that it is important from the point of view of propaganda that this recognition should be granted without delay, and will he use his influence in that direction?

Mr. Mander

Is it not expected that a decision in the matter will be reached in the very near future, and that then the Czech national anthem will be included?

Mr. Cooper

It certainly will be included as soon as possible, but the question of recognition is one for other authorities.