THE HESS AFFAIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 118, 21 May 1941, Page 8

THE HESS AFFAIR

MENTIONED IN HOUSE

MR. CHURCHILL RETICENT

STATEMENT REFUSED

LONDON, May 20,

Answering a scries of questions on Rudolf Hess, in the House of Commons, Mr. Winston Churchill said he was not in a position to make a statement, and not sure when he would be. As far as he was advised, Hess was being treated as a prisoner of war, and would receive treatment appropriate to a prisoner of war.

Major S. V. T. Adams (Con.) said: "While I fully appreciate the need for discretion in this matter, has the Government actively in mind the possibility that the whole stunt may be a common or garden 'plant,' and also will you discourage sections of the Press from renewing their nauseating rhapsodies, of this bloodstained crook? ' Mr. Churchill replied: "I certainly do not feel that I ought to,detract in any way from the vehemence of-Major Adams's statement." b-

Asked if he noticed a Press description of : Hess as an "idealist,". Mr. Churchill replied: "I do not think I can indulge in this retrospective censorship of the Press, The Germans gave a different story every day and tlie Press naturally endeavoured to satisfy the public by recording all kinds of the details that came to thenhands. It seems to me that the whole episode has been entertaining as well as important."—B.O.W.