ATTITUDE TO SOVIET

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 298, 13 September 1941, Page 9

ATTITUDE TO SOVIET

British Minister’s Speech MR. CHURCHILL’S COMMENT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 11. Replying to a question m the House of Commons regarding the remarks in a recent speech by the Minister of Aircraft Production, Lieuten-ant-Colonel Moore-Brabazon, on his attitude to Russia —quoted by a delegate at the Trades Union Congress in Edinburgh last week —the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, said: “’The versions which have been given to the public of the remarks made at a private gathering at the end of July by the Minister of Aircraft Production bear a construction which represents neither the policy of the British Government nor the views of Colonel Moore-Brabazon. “I happen to know his views because on the day that Hitler attacked Russia 1 told him on the telephone of the line Hint I was going to take that r.,glit of full and whole-hearted support for Russia, and he expressed enthusiastic assent. “He emphasized this sentiment at a public speech at Chertsey on August 9. He has been ardently at work sending hundreds of lighted aircraft to Russia, many of which have already got there. “Therefore, the phrasing of what he said at a private gathering, taken from its context, might well be misconstrued. lam satisfied that he was, and is, in fullest accord with the policy which the British Government is earnestly pursuing.”