HL Deb 30 July 1952 vol 178 cc438-9

2.49 p.m.

EARL JOWITT

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their attention has been drawn to a circular letter entitled: "Russian Spies in Britain," signed by a Mr. K. de Courcy, and to the statement made therein that "there has been no full investigation into the case of Burgess and Maclean because a number of highly important persons are known to be involved in it," and whether there is any truth in this allegation.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)

My Lords, there is no truth whatever in that allegation. The fullest inquiries, the records of which I have myself carefully examined, have been made and are, in fact, still continuing. I can only assume that the object of publishing a sensational story of this kind is to promote the circulation of an Intelligence Digest issued by Mr. de Courcy. On July 26, 1950, Mr. Attlee, the then Prime Minister, said in another place, on the subject of a report published in that paper: The dissemination of scare stories and unreliable information of this sort only helps those who wish to confuse us and lower our morale … And he added: This paper has quite a large circulation, particularly I think in the United States. It is very mischievous. I am sorry to say that this criticism appears still to be valid.

EARL JOWITT

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Marquess for his answer to the Question, and in that this lamentable incident happened in the lifetime of the last Government I have every reason for knowing that his information is correct. I should like him to keep this matter under careful review, because those who publish sensational stories which tend to lower morale by denigrating the public standard of morals in this country are doing a very great disservice. At home, of course, we can treat them with contempt, but no one can say what harm they may do abroad. I want to be assured that the Foreign Office will keep this matter under their most careful attention.

THE MARQUESS OF READING

I am obliged to the noble and learned Earl for the first part of his remarks and his assurance with regard to the previous Government. As regards the second part of his question I have clearly in mind what he is referring to, and most certainly we are not only keeping a vigilant eye on this matter but will continue to do so.