§ 53. Sir W. Smithersasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the setting up of a Royal Commission in Australia to inquire into espionage and Communist propaganda and to the setting up in the United States of America of an Information Agency to inaugurate a world-wide propaganda campaign against Communism; and if he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will co-operate with Australia and the United States of America in their efforts to expose the danger of Communism to the world.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I am aware of the action taken by the Australian and the United States' authorities. Her Majesty's Government will always give their help to any country of the free world that desires it in seeking to counter the insidious attacks of Communist propaganda. We must, however, be free in this country to pursue the methods we judge best suited to our traditions and circumstances. They do not seem to have worked too badly so far.
§ Sir W. SmithersHas my right hon. Friend noticed the evidence given in Australia, since this Question was put down on the Order Paper? Is not it the duty of Her Majesty's Government to discover to what extent Communist propaganda is rife in this country? I hear, though I cannot prove it, that it is much greater than anyone realises.
§ The Prime MinisterThat does not require any further answer from me.