SECRET
APPENDIX

Summary of replies from departments concerned

Dominions Office: No observations.

Colonial Office: No objection except for Cypriot papers for which no export permit should be granted.

Foreign Office: Reluctant to acquiesce, unless there are overriding considerations of policy, in view of

(a) effect of lifting the ban on relations with neutral countries, particularly Spain and Portugal;

(b) possible reactions in the U.S.A.;

(c) use of material by German propaganda services.

India Office: Strong objection in view of

(a) use of papers to convey instruction to Communist leaders in India and lesser effectiveness of prohibition on import into India;

(b) use for anti-British propaganda from enemy countries and by revolutionary Indians in U. S. A., Dominions and Colonies.

Would like re-imposition of ban on “World News and Views”. (Permit restored August 12th; paper submitted to censorship before publication.)

Home Office: Agrees generally with M.I.5 views and hopes proposal will be reconsidered.

M.I.5 alarmed because lifting of ban would be regarded as approval of recent Communist line and represented as a victory due to growing Communist power. “If the development of relations with the U. S. S. R. means that we have to deal kindly with the machinations of the Comintern in this country, it seems likely that we are driving a poor bargain.”

Lord Swinton: Swinton Committee would be strongly opposed to the export of some of the papers. “Daily Worker” and “The Week” lose no opportunity of attacking national unity. “The New Propeller” particularly obnoxious to the Trade Union leaders.

(All objectors agree that there has been no material change for the better in the tone of the Communist press.)