§ VISCOUNT THURSOMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the French Government have drawn their attention to Arab language broadcasts from a radio station in Cyprus; whether a broadcast from this station on February 8 included a disrespectful reference to M. Mollet, the French Prime Minister; whether another broadcast on February 24 attacked the French Government's decision to reinforce French troops in North Africa; whether the Israel Government have also protested against broadcasts from the Near East Broadcasting Station; whether Her Majesty's Government have authorised the explanation that the broadcasts from this station are aimed at attracting Arab audiences in support of British exports; whether Algerian Nationalists have 1202 been invited to broadcast from this station; and whether the controllers of the broadcasting station include distinguished British officials.]
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, the French Government have drawn our attention to these broadcasts of the Near East Arab Broadcasting Station in Cyprus. According to a French translation from the Arabic, a broadcast of February 8 did contain some criticism of Monsieur Mollet's policy in Algeria; that of February 24 also criticised French policy in North Africa, but did not specifically refer to any decision to send reinforcements to North Africa. The Israeli Government have also made informal representations.
Her Majesty's Government are not answerable for this station. It is controlled by the Near East Association, Limited, the directors of which include one distinguished ex-official who retired from the public service some years ago, but no serving officials. According to its Articles of Association, the purpose of the company is primarily to promote the exchange of cultural and general information throughout the countries of the Near East, and to foster good relations and mutual understanding between the Arab peoples. Her Majesty's Government have not authorised any explanation of the aims of the broadcasts from this station. It is not for Her Majesty's Government to explain the activities of a commercial undertaking. I have not yet been able to obtain information as to Algerian nationalists having been invited to broadcast from this station. Notice of this Question has, in fact, been very short.
§ VISCOUNT THURSOMy Lords, while thanking the noble Marquess for his Answer to my Question, may I ask him whether he can tell us whether this disrespectful reference to the Prime Minister of France was no less than a statement, on the day he arrived in Algeria to handle the extremely difficult situation, that he was a "pitiable figure"—the French phrase was "Il fait pitié"? And may I further ask whether the noble Marquess considers that that is in accordance with the proper standards of behaviour and respect which should exist between the Governments of two friendly and allied countries?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, the quotation which the noble 1203 Viscount has given is, I believe, substantially accurate. When the noble Viscount refers to relations between Governments, I would emphasise that I have already pointed out that this is not a Government station. Her Majesty's Government can only hope that the policy of Monsieur Mollet for settling the Algerian dispute will be successful in the very near future.
§ VISCOUNT THURSOMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether Her Majesty's Government will use all their influence with this company, when it beams its broadcasts from Cyprus, to ensure that it observes those obligations of loyalty to an Ally which we are inculcating in Athens upon the broadcasting station there which beams its broadcasts to Cyprus?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, the complaints to which the noble Viscount has referred and with which I also dealt in my Answer have been conveyed to the company; and the fact that that has been done has been conveyed to the Governments of both France and Israel.
§ EARL DE LA WARRMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether this station does not operate under some licence from the Cyprus Government? If so, it is acting with very much less supervision and control than exists in this country. We should certainly object very strongly if the B.B.C. were to put out material of this character.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, exactly how it operates in relation to the Cyprus Government I could not say without notice. It is, as I stated, a limited company. What its position is in relation to the Cyprus Government, I cannot say offhand. If the noble Earl wishes to know I will do my best to find out.
§ LORD KILLEARNIs not the situation as revealed by the explanation of the noble Marquess a very peculiar one?
§ LORD HARVEY OF TASBURGHCan the noble Marquess say how this service is paid for?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGThere, again, we are going rather a long way away from what was already a somewhat compendious Question. I cannot, I am afraid, give details offhand of these various matters.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEDoes the noble Marquess say that in Cyprus to-day, with the powers residing in the hands of the Government, it would be impossible to put a stop to what is an international abuse?
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEBut it is in Cyprus.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGIt is in Cyprus, I quite agree. As it is a commercial company with which the Government of Cyprus is not concerned I do not know what powers the Governor of Cyprus would have to deal with it.
§ THE EARL OF SWINTONWould the noble Marquess put in the Library the terms of the licence granted to this commercial company?