HC Deb 15 April 1946 vol 421 cc2337-8
43. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the publication in the "Etoile de Soir" newspaper of an account of the wartime experiences of Mr. Edward Chapman was officially arranged through the British Embassy in Paris; and how much money was received from the newspaper for this series of articles.

Mr. McNeil

Publication of the articles to which my hon. Friend refers was not arranged through His Majesty's Embassy in Paris, but through commercial channels.

Mr. Driberg

But did it not emerge, during the recent proceedings at Bow Street, that publication had been arranged by officials of the British Embassy, and, if so, is it not very odd that the persons concerned were prosecuted for publishing matter which had been officially published in the public interest?

Mr. McNeil

My information is that this proceeding was arranged through the normal commercial channels and if my hon. Friend has any questions to put on the proceedings at Bow Street perhaps he would be good enough to address them to the Home Secretary.