HC Deb 11 October 1939 vol 352 cc325-7
44. Colonel Ponsonby

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information what number of copies of a pamphlet entitled "The Outbreak of War (No. 1) (1939)" have been printed and circulated gratis to the public; what is the total expense of such printing and circulation; whether it is proposed, as is foreshadowed in the pamphlet, to continue the free issue of subsequent pamphlets in the series; and what beneficial result is it considered is likely to be obtained?

Sir E. Grigg

The total number of copies of this pamphlet printed is 275,000; of these 270,000 were circulated gratis to the public. The estimated cost of printing and circulation is £3,381. With regard to the third part of the question, the conditions of distribution will be decided upon at the time of issue of any future pamphlets. With regard to the fourth part of the question, it was considered desirable to make these documents available to the public in a permanent form.

Mr. Mander

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that most people regard this as a shocking waste of public money, and will he not carefully consider whether anything of the kind should be done again?

Sir E. Grigg

All these publications have to be taken into consideration. I told the hon. Member that many requests have been received for extra free copies.

Sir A. Southby

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of stopping the printing of pamphlets, and of giving the public some real information through the ordinary channels of the Press?

Sir E. Grigg

My hon. Friend must be aware by now that news, to which I suppose he refers, is no longer the business of the Ministry of Information.

Sir A. Southby

I am not referring to news, but to information.

Mr. Garro Jones

Might I ask upon whom was placed the invidious task of deciding who should be the unfortunate recipients of these pamphlets?

Sir E. Grigg

Of course, the responsibility for the choice of these persons is taken by my right hon. Friend the Minister.

Mr. Raikes

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's earlier answer, could he say what number of persons in London who desired free copies have got them at the present time, and will the hon. Member bear in mind that I had three copies last time, and that I am only too willing for two of them to go to somebody else?

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