HC Deb 21 July 1943 vol 391 cc892-3
48. Mr. Boothby

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the document, a copy of which has been sent to him, purporting to have been officially prepared to acquaint British officials and the British Press with the views of the Prime Minister on the subject of General de Gaulle; and what steps he is taking to put a stop to the dissemination of misstatements liable to prejudice the relations of this country with the United Nations?

The Prime Minister

Contrary to the statement in my hon. Friend's Question, no document has been received from him, but only a cutting from a newspaper which refers to a document. I take full responsibility for this document, the text of which was drafted personally by me. It is a confidential document. I am not prepared to discuss it otherwise than in Secret Session, and then only if there were a general desire from the House to have a Secret Session.

Mr. Boothby

May I ask whether a document purporting to be this document has not in fact been published in a Washington paper? Does my right hon. Friend not think that the continued Press attacks on General de Gaulle are, or may be, harmful to the Allied cause in occupied France? And will he use his great influence with the United States to try to get them to join us in an effort to increase and not decrease the prestige and the unity of the French Committee of National Liberation?

The Prime Minister

I said that I was not prepared to discuss this matter other- wise than in Secret Session. I adhere to that.

Mr. A. Bevan

Why should the American Press be permitted to discuss these grave matters in public while the House of Commons is always to be confined to Private Sessions so that the political responsibility cannot be placed where it lies?

The Prime Minister

In regard to confidential documents, there sometimes occur breaches of confidence. Leakages take place and so forth. When these take place in a foreign country—1 will say in another country—certainly I do not feel that any alteration in our course of action is necessary.