HC Deb 19 December 1941 vol 376 c2233
15. Mr. Douglas

asked the Minister of Information whether he has considered the effect of the broadcast of a so-called autobiography of Mark Twain on 14th December on the relations between this country and the United States of America; and whether he has taken any steps with the British Broadcasting Corporation on the matter?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information (Mr. Thurtle)

My right hon. Friend has no reason to suppose that our relations with the United States have been prejudiced in any way by this broadcast, which was based entirely on facts drawn from Mark Twain's own autobiography.

Mr. Douglas

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the script in this case?

Mr. Thurtle

I have read the script, and I think there is no ground for the hon. Member's fear that this production may injure our relations with America.

Mr. Silverman

Has not the hon. Gentleman got into enough trouble already by reading scripts and then interfering?