HC Deb 05 April 1951 vol 486 cc27-8W
64. Dr. S. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent General Morgan in his pronouncements at his New York press conference on 28th March last was expressing the views of His Majesty's Government; and what authorisation he has received to make political pronouncements on its behalf.

Mr. Younger

In his remarks regarding the crossing of the 38th Parallel and other political questions made at a press conference in New York on 28th March, General Morgan, who is no longer a regular serving officer, made it clear that he was expressing his personal views. He has received no authorisation to make political pronouncements on behalf of His Majesty's Government.

In agreement with the Ministry of Defence, General Sir William Morgan was invited by the Foreign Office to undertake a lecturing tour in the United States of America with the object of acquainting American public opinion with the scope of Britain's defence effort. The briefing given to him before he left for the United States dealt only with the various aspects of our defence programme. He is, of course, at liberty like all other speakers who lecture abroad at the invitation of the Foreign Office, to express personal views, providing it is made quite clear at the time that such views are not necessarily those of His Majesty's Government.