HC Deb 25 February 1942 vol 378 c177
1. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British Government have asked the Canadian Government to remain in diplomatic relations with Vichy when the British Government have themselves severed such relations?

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

In reply to a request received from His Majesty's Government in Canada for an indication of views as to the desirability of maintaining diplomatic relations with the Vichy Government, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom stated that they considered that it would be in the common interest if His Majesty's Government in Canada remained in diplomatic relations with the Vichy Government.

Captain McEwen

Is it not a matter of common sense that we should maintain rather than curtail such sources of information abroad as we have?

Mr. Mander

Is it not rather an odd arrangement that one part of the Empire should have diplomatic arrangements and another should not?