§ 42. Mr. C. Pannellasked the Prime Minister whether he will cause to be arranged an exhibition in London of exhibits used by the Crown in the recent Lansdale spy trial on lines similar to those arranged by Mr. Khrushahev in Moscow following the U2 incident.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion. But I can foresee certain difficulties about it; and in any event I do not think that it would be right to arrange any such exhibition while appeals are still pending.
§ Mr. PannellAlthough he admits that he does not appear to know much about it at the present time, will the right hon. Gentleman apply his mind to whether what has happened in this case during the six years in which we have failed to keep any under-water secrets has not done more harm to our country than a simple flight of a U2 might have done over Soviet territory?
§ Mr. ButlerI cannot necessarily accept my ignorance or the hon. Gentleman's assumption. In making my statement tomorrow I shall bear all this in mind. We shall examine the future of any exhibition such as this, when we are clear that appeals are not pending.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CordeauxWhy should we always let the Russians win every round in this propaganda war? Would my right hon. Friend agree that there is no security reason why such an exhibition should not be held? It would be a very good thing that the people of this country should be made aware of the extent and thoroughness of the work of the Russian secret service against this country.
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir. These are the sort of points we will bear in mind in considering the future of the exhibition when there is no question of appeals pending.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesAs we are now supposed to be spending £7 million, and as the Russians are probably spending much more money, would it not be possible for both nations to save a lot of money by pooling their secrets?