HC Deb 23 July 1941 vol 373 c870
21. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the fact that a memorial plate has been placed in St. Paul's Cathedral to an American who is described as having died that England might live, he will ask the British Broadcasting Corporation and others involved in publicity and propaganda to instruct themselves in the precise meanings of the all-inclusive term "Britain," and the sectional terms "England," "Scotland," "Wales," "Ireland," etc., to prevent offence being given to the other component parts of the nation and the Empire?

The Minister of Information (Mr. Brendan Bracken)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by the Lord Privy Seal on 17th June last.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rather thoughtless use of the restricted term by our English friends causes grave hurt to the patriotic sentiments of the people of the smaller and perhaps considerably less important parts of the Empire, and will he stress this point when dealing with the B.B.C.?

Mr. Bracken

I dare say we all stand in need of instruction. I will let my hon. Friend into a dark mystery. I myself was responsible for writing that inscription.

Major Sir Ronald Ross

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the use of the term "Ireland" instead of "Northern Ireland" in Parliamentary Questions causes equal offence?

Captain McEwen

Is it not highly offensive to all Scotsmen to refer to the designation "Scotland" as a sectional term?

Mr. Granville

Is it not a fact that this memorial has nothing to do with the B.B.C., propaganda or publicity, but that it is a memorial to a gallant American airman who gave his life for this country in the Battle of Britain?