§ 48. Mr. John Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if some protest will be made to the Press department of the Soviet Embassy in London at the distorted propaganda on the Korean situation to be found in the "Soviet News" distributed by this department.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesNo, Sir.
§ Mr. RodgersDoes the Minister think it is desirable that an official publication, issued daily, should accuse America and ourselves of unprovoked and premeditated aggression and should describe Mr. John Foster Dulles as a war-monger?
§ Mr. DaviesWe take the view that an intelligent and well-informed democracy is well able to judge for itself of such distorted statements.
§ Mr. GrimondWould the Minister ensure that the widest publicity is given 954 to our point of view, because many people in this democracy hear more of the Soviet point of view than of our own?
§ Mr. DaviesThe Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation do their utmost to report the news fairly and objectively.
§ Mr. ProfumoHow is it that the Soviet Agency manage to obtain enough newsprint with which to produce this sordid and subversive propaganda while our own newspapers have to be cut down?
§ Mr. DaviesThat question should be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. Mott-RadclyffeIs it not a fact that the Press department of the Soviet Embassy enjoys diplomatic immunity?
§ Mr. DaviesYes, Sir.