HC Deb 21 July 1943 vol 391 cc865-6
1. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what position was held recently by Mr. Israel Moses Sieff in his Department in America; does he still hold that position; and, if not, why has he relinquished it?

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

Mr. Sieff has not held any position under the Foreign Office in the U.S.A.

Sir W. Smithers

Is it not a fact that the United States Government, by direct request or through our Ambassador, asked that he should be relieved of his work and returned to this country? What are the reasons?

Mr. Eden

I did not know about that. What I did know was that Mr. Sieff was appointed in March last year to a Com- mittee advisory to the office of Prices Administration in the United States, and his principal function was to provide information on British experiments in the field of price control and rationing. I know that he has relinquished the appointment, but I understand that his work on the Committee was appreciated by his colleagues, who regret the loss of his services.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Would this Question have been asked about Mr. Sieff if his name was Smith or Smithers?