§ Q2. Mr. Edelmanasked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation requiring any individual or body engaged in promoting for reward the concerns of a foreign State or States to register as a foreign agent.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. EdelmanDoes the Prime Minister consider it desirable that Britain's public relations men should receive under-cover subsidies in order to promote the interests of countries which might not coincide with those of Great Britain? In those circumstances, will not he study United States legislation precisely on this subject?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I have been informed of the United States decision. Their position is a little different from ours, because, under their system, when Congressional committees are considering legislation they take evidence direct from interested parties, which we do not do. Furthermore, the hon. Mem- 1538 ber will realise that legislation is quite a job to fit into the programme, and I do not think that it is worth while at present.