HC Deb 15 February 1956 vol 548 c2359
36. Mr. Baird

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has as to the source of the propaganda balloons which recently drifted over this country; and what representations he has made in order to prevent this happening again.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

These balloons appear to have been launched by the Free Europe Press from German soil. The answer to the second part of the Question is "None, Sir."

Mr. Baird

Will the hon. Gentleman say why he does not protest to the Americans about this? Are we so much under their thumb that we cannot protect our own interests? Will he realise that this type of propaganda is exacerbating international relations?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I am not aware that the people of this country were exacerbating by the contents of leaflets which fell in the United Kingdom, but certainly it is not for Her Majesty's Government to take up what is a private activity in another country.

Major Beamish

Is my hon. Friend aware that these balloons are designed in a small and responsible way simply to propagate the truth in the countries behind the Iron Curtain where truth is at present stifled? Is there any reason why anyone who is not a Communist or fellow-traveller should object to that?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I quite agree. The restoration of East-West contacts, broken by Soviet censorship, would be the best way of grounding these balloons.