HC Deb 26 November 1956 vol 561 cc27-8
24. Lieut-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps the British Information Service in the United States of America has taken to secure publicity for the recent statements of policy of Her Majesty's Government made to the United Nations organisation.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

The efforts of the British Information Service have been principally directed to securing the widest possible dissemination in the American Press and radio of the facts of the situation and of important pronouncements by my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers, and by the Permanent United Kingdom Delegate to the United Nations, in Parliament and the United Nations. Advantage has also been taken of the presence of my right hon. and learned Friend in the United States to arrange live broadcasts on radio and television.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

Is every action taken to counteract the effect of letters written by British subjects to foreign newspapers which seek to stir up hatred against Her Majesty's Government and to make the situation even worse? [Interruption.] Oafs! Hon. Members opposite should wait until they hear the end of my supplementary question. Would my hon. Friend not agree that such a letter was written from Oxford to the New York Times, dated 6th November, by Mr. Colin Leys and Mr. Michael Foot, an ex-Member of this House?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Yes, Sir. I am sure there is no one in the House—in this I include a great many hon. Members opposite—who would not deplore the letter. It was disgraceful.

Mrs. Castle

On a point of correction, Mr. Speaker. An ex-Member of this House has just been libelled by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. Might I inform him that the Michael Foot referred to is not the ex-Member of the House, and that the Daily Mail, which republished that libel, has had to retract with profound apologies?

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

If I have made a mistake, as I appear to have done, in referring to Mr. Michael Foot, a former Member of this House, as having written the letter, I most humbly and sincerely apologise.

Mr. Younger

In view of the fact that the proceedings of the United Nations are both broadcast and televised throughout the United States, does not the Minister think that Her Majesty's Government are giving the British Information Service an almost impossible task in inviting it to counteract the nation-wide news of this long list of defiances by us and of votes against us in the United Nations?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I do not accept that. It is quite clear from the history of the last two or three weeks that the British case is being more and more recognised and supported in the United States.