HC Deb 09 April 1941 vol 370 cc1539-41
7. Mr. Lipson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will represent to the Polish Government that the anti-semitic and Fascist articles appearing in the Polish newspaper "Jestem Polakiem" are causing grave concern to many friends of Poland in this country.

Mr. Butler

The Polish Government are well aware of the views of His Majesty's Government on this question. I understand, however, that this Polish paper is not in any way connected with the Polish Government, whose general attitude has been made clear in statements published on 2nd September, 22nd November and 2nd December last in the "Dziennik Polski", the only Polish political paper appearing in this country which they recognise officially. I am communicating a translation of these statements to the hon. Member.

Mr. Lipson

In view of the fact that these articles are quite opposed to the objects for which we are fighting this war, will my right hon. Friend consider whether it is not possible to deport the writer of them, who is taking advantage of the hospitality offered by this country?

Mr. Butler

I think I had better refer hon. Members who are interested in this matter to an answer which is to be given later by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information to a Question on the subject.

Mr. Silverman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these offensive publications are not confined to this newspaper, but ate to be found in a great many other papers published in Polish in this country, and can he say how those papers are financed?

Mr. Butler

As I say, I had better refer the hon. Member to an answer which is to be given by the Minister of Information.

Mr. Noel-Baker

In view of the fact that these articles are in fact opposed to the declared policy of the Polish Government, and are known to be offensive to very many Poles, as to all British people, could not His Majesty's Government make representations to the Polish Government that they should themselves take some action?

Mr. Butler

I think the Polish Government probably feel this more deeply than we do, and will do what they can to counteract the effect of these articles. I am glad to take the opportunity of saying that this paper has nothing to do with the Polish Government.

22. Mr. Wedgwood

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been called to an anti-Semitic Polish publication, "I am a Pole"; what steps he is taking to ban that journal which is conducting a policy so contrary to our own war effort that the Germans have used it as anti-British propaganda in Poland; and whether as this publication does not meet with the approval of the Polish Government, he will see that this paper is suppressed without delay?

The Minister of Information (Mr. Duff Cooper)

Yes, Sir. My attention has been drawn to the paper in question, which has not received any assistance or support from the Ministry of Information. As regards the second and third parts of the Question, responsibility for the suppression of newspapers does not rest with the Ministry of Information.

Mr. Wedgwood

Is it not possible for the Ministry of Information to stop the supply of paper, as they have control over it?

Mr. Cooper

This paper originally appeared before certain powers were taken by the Ministry for stopping paper, and I understand that the publishers already have a sufficient supply. It is not in our power to prevent their getting paper at present.

Mr. Silverman

Can the Minister say-how it is that papers are allowed to be published in Polish which would be suppressed if they appeared in English?

Mr. Cooper

I cannot accept the hon. Member's assumption that this paper would be suppressed if it was in English. It has never been the policy of the Ministry to suppress a paper simply on account of its views.

Mr. Silverman

Is the Minister aware that this paper is definitely, clearly and overwhelmingly Fascist in outlook and in the views which it expresses, and does he say that it is permissible under the Regulations?

Mr. Cooper

As the hon. Member is aware, only two papers have so far been suppressed since the outbreak of the war. The question of suppressing papers does not rest with the Ministry of Information; it is only when the papers are really doing great harm to the war effort of the country that they are suppressed. I am not saying that this paper should not be suppressed.