Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Information. – in the House of Commons at on 28 May 1941.
Mr Oliver Locker-Lampson
, Birmingham Handsworth
asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that Sir Nevile Henderson, speaking at Spalding on behalf of his Department, referred to Rudolf Hess as a sincere and blameless personality; and whether he will take steps to prevent Ministry of In formation speakers referring to Nazi leaders in this way as many persons are thereby induced to believe that this is the official view of His Majesty's Government?
Hon. Harold Nicolson
, Leicester West
The hon. and gallant Member is under some misapprehension. Sir Nevile Henderson has never spoken on behalf of the Ministry of Information, nor am I aware that any Ministry Speaker has ever referred to Nazi officials in the manner described. Accordingly, my right hon. Friend does not consider that there is any need to issue a warning such as the hon. and gallant Member suggests.
Mr Oliver Locker-Lampson
, Birmingham Handsworth
May I see my hon. Friend later and show him the speech which was made?
Hon. Harold Nicolson
, Leicester West
I am quite prepared to believe that Sir Nevile Henderson made a speech, but he did not make it under our auspices.
Mr Samuel Silverman
, Nelson and Colne
Does the Minister not see the importance of a speech of this kind made by a man who, for so many years, was our Ambassador in Berlin?
Hon. Harold Nicolson
, Leicester West
He is not there now.
Mr Oliver Locker-Lampson
, Birmingham Handsworth
Is not Hess one of those unsavoury fungi which we want to stamp out in this country and elsewhere? We do not want ex-Ambassadors supporting Hess.
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