HC Deb 11 May 1953 vol 515 c857
12. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in respect of scurrilous articles about the British Royal Family that have appeared in the Belgian Press, details of which have been forwarded, he will make suitable representations to the Belgian Government.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

No, Sir. I have read the material forwarded by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I do not propose to give it any advertisement by referring to it more specifically or making it the subject matter of official representations. Her Majesty's Government have no doubt that it will be treated in Belgium with the contempt it deserves.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the Minister aware that the article, of which I sent him a copy, was much more revolting than any of the British Press articles which Her Majesty's Government deplored and regretted after recent complaints by the Belgian Government, and will he at least ask for an expression of regret from the Belgian Government for the violent outburst which has nauseated many Belgian friends in this country?

Mr. Lloyd

I quite agree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman's description of this article, but I still adhere to the terms of my original answer.