§ 8. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider reimposing the ban on the use of the diplomatic bag by neutral embassies and legations, in view of the likelihood of the leakage through such channels of information about the effects of flying-bomb damage.
§ Mr. EdenThe Government have considered this matter very carefully in consultation with all authorities concerned, and are fully satisfied that such action would not be justified in the present circumstances.
§ Mr. DribergDid the right hon. Gentleman take note of Sir Robert Craigie's letter to "The Times," in which he put forward the argument that Service attaches have the duty of reporting to their Governments on new weapons of warfare? Is it not quite evident that information thus sent would at once become current in circles to which enemy diplomats have access?
§ Mr. EdenI read Sir Robert Craigie's letter and the reply, and, if I may say so, I agreed with the reply more than with his letter. We have considered it very carefully and, on balance, we think there is advantage in the Diplomatic Corps here reporting on the state of opinion in this country, and we think the disadvantages of the action suggested by the hon. Gentleman would outweigh the advantages.
§ Mr. DribergIs not the corollary to that, to have less security restrictions at home, since they are no longer necessary?