§ 87 and 104. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that on 13th January the "Orzel Bialy" (" White Eagle "), published by the Press and cultural department of the Polish Second Corps, contained an account of an interview with Mr. Tomasz Arciszewski in which he was described as the Prime Minister of Poland, Mr, Raczkiewicz was referred to as the President of the republic, and the Polish Government was called the agents of a foreign military occupation, from which Poland was waiting to be delivered by General Anders' army; and whether he will take steps to put an end to forces under His Majesty's Government's command, paid for out of Treasury funds and subject to Army Council regulations, recognising an emigre government and regarding as enemies and usurpers the government of our ally Poland;
(2) whether he is aware that on 5th January the "Gazeta Zolnierska," printed at Bari on the instructions of the Press and cultural department of the Polish Second Corps, described the guarantees offered by that Government to returning soldiers as worthless, denounced the Polish Government as a tyranny imposed by a foreign Power and stated that General Anders army would resist any attempts to disband them and settle the future of Poland with their guns and tanks; whether the funds of the Press and cultural department are derived from the £2,000,000 a month paid by His Majesty's Government for the upkeep of General Anders' army; and whether he will take steps to prohibit these attempts to stop Polish soldiers going home.
§ Mr. LawsonI am aware that articles of a controversial nature did appear in January on the dates mentioned in newspapers published for troops of the Polish Second Corps, though my information as to some of the contents does not agree with my hon. Friend's. Since 13th January there have, however, been changes in the editorial staffs and a Polish speaking British officer has been appointed to supervise the Polish Press. In addition orders have been given that no articles of a controversial or political nature shall be allowed to appear in Polish newspapers published for the use of Polish troops. Paper and printing materials for news- 195W papers published for the use of Polish troops in Italy are paid for from funds accruing from sales of the newspapers.