Oral Answers to Questions — Italian Anti-Fascists

– in the House of Commons at on 30 September 1942.

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Photo of Mr Ivor Thomas Mr Ivor Thomas , Keighley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he has ruled that the British Council may not support the scheme for an anti-Fascist Italian centre in London, analogous to the Allied centres already established by the Council?

Photo of Mr Anthony Eden Mr Anthony Eden , Warwick and Leamington

My hon. Friend overlooks the fact that Italy is not an Ally but an enemy Power, and my hon. Friend's analogy does not apply. The British Council, whose activities, in any case, are cultural and not political, have lent their support to national centres of Allied countries and of occupied countries whose National Councils are recognised by His Majesty's Government.

Photo of Mr Ivor Thomas Mr Ivor Thomas , Keighley

Has the Foreign Office given any support to the Austrian centre, which is analogous, and why does the Foreign Office frustrate every attempt by anti-Fascists to organise themselves, whether in a fighting force, by a newspaper, or in a centre?

Photo of Mr Anthony Eden Mr Anthony Eden , Warwick and Leamington

I do not accept a single one of the hon. Gentleman's remarks, and I repeat that we are not necessarily prepared to encourage enemy aliens to organise in this country.

Photo of Mr William Gallacher Mr William Gallacher , Fife Western

Will the Foreign Secretary consider giving Austrians the status of friendly aliens, instead of treating them as a defeated enemy?