HC Deb 21 March 1949 vol 463 cc9-10
13. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish in full the text of the memorandum received from America, setting out the export licensing policy of the United States Government, and urging the United Kingdom, as one of the countries participating in the Marshall Plan, to limit its trade with the countries of Eastern Europe.

Mr. Mayhew

No such memorandum has been received.

Mr. Plaits-Mills

Does the hon. Gentleman really deny that in the last week of October the Foreign Secretary received from the Marshall Aid authorities not only a memorandum but three lists of articles which the Americans demanded we should refrain from exporting to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe? Is the real position this: that the shame that he feels at the servile position he has brought our country into, requires him to deny these truths to the British people?

Mr. Mayhew

I do deny the receipt of any such memorandum. As to the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I can only say that he has a powerful, creative imagination.