THERE is currently a lively debate over whether MPs should any longer be compelled to swear allegiance to the Crown.

It is also far from unusual to hear MPs criticise the institution of the monarchy or even proclaim themselves republicans.

Half a century ago things were very different, as a story about Swindon MP Francis Noel-Baker proves.

“Swindon MP in Attack on Princess Margaret,” screamed an Adver headline.

The story beneath it began: “A Parliamentary sensation was caused today by an attack on Princess Margaret launched by Francis Noel-Baker, MP for Swindon.

“The attack was made in a Commons motion, signed by six other Labour MPs, on a speech made by the Princess at the World Advertising Conference.”

In her speech to the conference at the Royal Festival Hall in London, Princess Margaret described advertising as the greatest lubricant of international commerce.

She added: "As such it accelerates trade in old as well as new countries, bringing higher standards of living to everybody.”

The Princess also praised the role of advertising techniques in helping Governments to communicate, and had harsh words for certain critics of the industry.

While admitting some of the criticism was constructive, she continued: “But some in this country at any rate is rather more in the nature of a moan from a certain type of mentality which disapproves of the wholehearted selling effort and would prefer commerce to be conducted – perhaps less excitingly and rewardingly – in a spirit of reticent gentility.”

Mr Noel Baker and the others who signed the motion said they regretted that the Princess: “...should have been advised to speak at the World Advertising Conference and to express opinions about the advertising industry highly offensive to many British subjects who deplore the waste, dishonesty and lack of taste of the advertising industry.”

Such dissent was enough to prompt a row among MPs and thundering condemnation in our opinion column.

We said: “That Swindon’s MP Mr Francis Noel-Baker should dislike the remarks made by Princess Margaret when speaking to the World Advertising Conference was predictable, that he should show this dislike by launching such a pompous motion in the Commons was not.”

The story was largely forgotten by the end of the week.

Francis Noel-Baker served as MP for Swindon from 1955 until 1969, when he left Parliament and went to tend his family’s estate in Greece. He died in 2009, aged 89.

Princess Margaret died in 2002, aged 71.