HC Deb 30 November 1955 vol 546 cc2305-6
30. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what channels are used by his Department for communications with the Press on matters of foreign policy.

Mr. H. Macmillan

The Foreign Office News Department.

Mr. Brockway

In view of the extravagant remarks made by a Foreign Office spokesman last week, and the serious reactions they have had in international affairs, would the Foreign Secretary consider that only statements which have been authorised by a responsible Minister should be made by the Foreign Office spokesman?

Mr. Macmillan

As a matter of practical convenience, there has been held at the Foreign Office for many years a Press conference which I think the Press very much value. It has been going on now for a period of some ten or more years, at 12.30 and at 4.30, and I think sometimes later in the evening. It is quite impracticable for a Minister to attend or even to authorise everything that is said at these Press conferences. Alternatively, I could cancel these Press conferences, but I think that would be a great loss to the ordinary working of the Press and the daily contacts which it is essential that it should have with the Foreign Office. In this case the principal open conference has been taken for many years by an experienced, although I frankly say a junior, member of the staff. I have arranged that in future they shall be taken either by the head of the department or by his deputy. I cannot undertake to approve or even to see the answer to every question that may be asked by any member of the Press. If we did that, it would take away the only purpose of the conference, which is to guide the Press in its day-to-day work. As to the content of this reply, I do not attach much blame to the officer concerned, but I do feel that if there are to be criticisms of foreign countries they should be left to Ministers to make, because then they have to carry the burden. On the other hand, there are often things which are very annoying, and I should not like any blame at all to attach to this officer. We will try to work a rather more satisfactory system with more senior officers in control.

Mr. Woodburn

Is there not a distinction between a Press conference to give the Press background information and guidance, and the giving of statements which are to be published perhaps, as in this case, to the disadvantage of public relations? Is there not a clear distinction between background guidance conferences and a conference deliberately giving statements to the Press for publication?

Mr. Macmillan

There may be a distinction, but they have worked pretty well together year in and year out. Year after year the system works. Occasionally there may be some slip. I do not think it is fair to attach much criticism to a slip. I think it would be of great disadvantage to the Press and the public were this system to be curtailed or abolished.

Mr. John Hall

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the use of the phrase "thoroughly hypocritical" is a typical example of the British gift for understatement?

Mrs. Mann

Could I ask the Foreign Secretary if the major offence here was not the accusation that the people of Britain backed up Hitler to attack Russia, against which the adjective "hypocritical" is meaningless and far too weak?

Mr. Macmillan

That is a very fine contribution, if I may say so. The reply which the head of the Foreign Office made to a declaration made to us yesterday had my complete approval and, I think, will have that of everybody in the country.