§ 26. Sir W. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Monsieur Leon Blum came to England 1148 on 5th September at the invitation of His Majesty's Government; was he the guest of His Majesty's Government; did he comply with all the regulations applicable to aliens visiting this country; and what conversations he has had with members of His Majesty's Government.
Mr. Noel-BakerIn September last Monsieur Leon Blum paid a private visit to London, and, like all visitors from other countries, he complied with the regulations which are applicable to aliens. Monsieur Blum came on his own initiative and was not the guest of His Majesty's Government, but my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, and other members of the Government were proud to receive Monsieur Blum and were very happy to be able to congratulate him on his escape from the Nazis, and to have the pleasure and advantage of private conversation with him about matters of common concern. I believe that Monsieur Blum also met some of the right, hon. Gentlemen on the Opposition Front Bench.