STORM ABOUT NOEL COWARD'S MISSION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 7, 2 September 1940, Page 2

STORM ABOUT NOEL COWARD'S MISSION

A storm developed in the Commons over the visit of the playwright and actor, Noel Coward, to the United States. In reply to questions, Mr Harold Nicolson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Information, said that Noel Coward went to the United States with the approval of the Minister for Information. He was not acting as an ambassador, but possessed contacts among cer-. tain sections, which would be difficult to reach from ordinary sources. Mr Nicolson added: "Mr Coward was invited to call on President Roosevelt with, whom he has long been on terms of personal friendship. He sought no interview, and any remarks Mr Coward might have made to the Press about food were his personal views." Mr E. Granville (Nat. Lib.): Mr Coward does not represent British democracy, and does not appeal to American democracy. His visit is doing more harm than good. Will the Minister recall him? (Labour cheers). Mr F.' J. Bellenger (Lab.): The feeling is growing that men with a certain publicity value and money can leave the country very easily, and not return, while the country is going through great stress and anxiety. Mr Nicolson: That is a very unfair imputation.