– in the House of Commons at on 17 December 1941.
Sir Kenneth Pickthorn
, Cambridge University
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Anglo-Portuguese relations are being affected by reports circulating in Portugal to the effect that His Majesty's Government have promised the Union of South Africa portions of Mozambique and Angola; and what steps he proposes to take?
Mr Richard Law
, Kingston upon Hull South West
I am aware that reports to this effect are circulating in Portugal, and I am glad of this opportunity of stating, on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, that there is no truth whatever in these reports, which are no doubt circulated by the enemy in order to trouble the cordial relations between this country and her most ancient Ally, and between the Union of South Africa and neighbouring Portuguese territories.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
