§ 44. Mr. Bennasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the speech made by Mr. Irving Mill, the British Consul in Algiers, in which he pledged the full support of Her Majesty's Government and the British people for French policy in Algeria, was made with his authority.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydNo, Sir. It is not customary for Foreign Service officers to submit to me in advance the text of all the speeches which they may be called upon to make in the course of their duties.
§ Mr. BennIs the Foreign Secretary satisfied that one of his consuls should, in front of the Diplomatic Corps at Algiers on the occasion of the Queen's Birthday party, have pledged the full support of Her Majesty's Government and of the British people to the French policy in Algeria, and should have expressed the hope that France would resume her civilising action? If he is not satisfied, would he take disciplinary action against the officer concerned?
§ Mr. LloydI have stated that it is not customary for the texts of speeches to be cleared. I think that on this matter the position of Her Majesty's Government is well known, and I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 15th March.
§ Mr. YoungerWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman either circulate in HANSARD what was actually said by the British representative, or put a copy in the Library?
§ Captain WaterhouseIs it not right and proper that Her Majesty's representative should give moral support to our Allies and friends, the French?
§ Mr. LloydI certainly think that that is right. If I may refer to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said, he stated:
… Algeria is part of the Metropolitan France and that Her Majesty's Government can have nothing but sympathy with the efforts of the French Government to improve conditions and preserve peace in Algeria."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th March, 1956; Vol. 550, c. 559.]
§ Mr. BennIn view of the fact that the right hon. and learned Gentleman told me on 20th March that no direct or indirect help was to be given to the French in Algeria, does not the consul concerned seem to have gone way beyond his authorisation?