HC Deb 04 May 1970 vol 801 cc19-20
18. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many protest notes were addressed by Her Majesty's Government to overseas Governments during 1969; how many were accepted; how many rejected; and how many ignored.

Mr. Foley

The term "protest note" is not easily defined. Expressions of displeasure between Governments take an infinite variety of forms, and records of such information are not kept centrally. The cost of compiling this information, even if it proved feasible to do so, would be considerable.

Mr. Digby

Is it not possible that fewer notes might be more effective and that a kind of Gresham's law operates in this situation.

Mr. Foley

If the hon. Member has any particular matter in mind, I would be happy to look at it.