'U.K. Govt. Too Clever By Half’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29681, 27 November 1961, Page 15

'U.K. Govt. Too Clever By Half’

ItiJZ,. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, November 25.

Several British newspapers, published before the Foreign Office announcement that the text of Britain’s report to the Common Market would be supplied to the Commonwealth, today hit at the Government over the withholding of the statement.

The criticism came after reports that the contents of the declaration had leaked into American and Canadian hands. In a front-page report, the "Daily Mail” quoted Washington sources as saying French officials had leaked details of the speech to the American Government. British-French relations had taken a “sharp knock” as a result, said the newspaper. It said Paris officials denied all knowledge of a breach of confidence and so did Common Market officials in B’ussels. The “Daily Telegraph” reported from Brussels that according to authoritative sources the Canadian Govern, ment obtained the text of Mr Heath’s speech soon after he made it But its Ottawa correspondent reported that the Canadian Finance Minister Mr Fleming) had denied Canada received the text of the statement from anyone. “The Times” said in an editorial: “The Government, entering into negotiations of vital concern to the Commonwealth, should never have agreed to withhold from member Governments the full text of the opening British statement. "The plea that they are guiltless if someone else leaks the information is an excuse for this original mistake. ■ ■ , As matters stand at P«‘* n ' an impression has men caught out through being too clever by half. The "Yorkshire Post after saying that the British Government’s promise to keep the Commonwea.th informed about the ne« ot ? a .', io " s Nothing prompts speculation like a half-kept secret.

The “Daily Express” said: “The Government humiliated itself and embarrassed the nation through its foolish attempt to conceal from the Commonwealth the full text of Mr Edward Heath’s declaration. . . . The bond of brotherhood of the Commonwealth peoples has been treated with contempt.” In Paris, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said today the French Government was “totally unaware” of anything connected with the press reports. He said allegations that French sources had “leaked” the text to the United States Embassy in Paris were “wholly without foundation.”