§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD BIRDWOODMy 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 if they are aware of a recent propaganda campaign in the form of letters and pamphlets addressed to Members of Parliament by the Greek and Egyptian Governments, and if so, whether retaliatory measures are contemplated.]
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, I have seen certain letters and pamphlets which have been distributed by the Egyptian Government and by various Greek organisations and agencies, including the Greek Embassy in London. I am confident that Members of Parliament can evaluate them at their true worth. No direct retaliation is contemplated. There is, of course, no means of preventing foreign Governments or Missions from sending propaganda material, however hostile or mendacious, to Members of Parliament or other persons in this country, provided that the action does not constitute a breach of diplomatic privilege. Her Majesty's Government are making every effort, through our information services abroad and other means, to make known the facts and to publicise the British point 972 of view on the questions over which we are in dispute with the Greek and Egyptian Governments.
§ LORD BIRDWOODMy Lords, while thanking the noble Marquess for his reply, I find the Answer not entirely complete, and should like to reserve the right to raise the matter again on one of the occasions when we have an appropriate debate.