HC Deb 07 April 1943 vol 388 cc587-8
2. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply was given by His Holiness the Pope to His Majesty's Ambassador to the Vatican on his expressing regret for the death of the Archbishop of Reggio in an air-raid by British aircraft?

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

My hon. Friend appears to be misinformed. I have seen reports in the Swiss Press that His Majesty's Minister at the Vatican expressed to the Cardinal Secretary of State the regret of His Majesty's Government for the death of the Archbishop, and that the Pope communicated to him details of air-raid damage to Palermo and other Sicilian towns. Mr. Osborne informs me that these statements are entirely without foundation.

Mr. Stokes

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any statement was in- cluded in the reply protesting against the immorality of bombing open towns?

Mr. Eden

In whose reply?

Mr. Stokes

In the reply from the Vatican.

Mr. Eden

I do not think there was any statement to which they could reply.