HC Deb 09 July 1941 vol 373 cc167-8
38. Mr. Hannah

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgent need of making friends of Moslem countries all over the East, he will take steps to make better known the gift by the Government of a prominent London site for a mosque and institute worthy of the capital of the Empire?

The Prime Minister

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to this matter. I am sure that he will be glad to know that our many friends in Moslem countries all over the East have already expressed great appreciation of this gift of a site for a mosque and Islamic cultural centre in London. We shall certainly take any appropriate opportunity to keep the Moslem world informed of the progress of this most interesting project.

Mr. Hannah

While thanking the Prime Minister very cordially for that splendid answer, may I ask whether the Government realise that the Japanese, having built a mosque in Tokyo, are booming it throughout the whole Moslem world, and must not we do likewise?

The Prime Minister

I should not always set up the conduct of the Government referred to as a pattern which we must follow with unreasonable care.