HC Deb 14 February 1918 vol 103 cc266-7
54. Mr. ALDEN

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the special qualifications of Lord Beaverbrook for the position of Minister of Propaganda; why it is linked up with the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster; and, seeing that the former office affects the United States, whether he can assure the House that he is a persona grata in America?

57. Mr. WALTER ROCH

asked the Prime Minister if he would state precisely what duties will be carried out by Lord Beaverbrook in addition to the duties connected with his office as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; and whether Lord Beaverbrook is a member of the War Cabinet?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Lord Beaverbrook will undertake the duties in connection with propaganda which were performed by the senior Member for Trinity College before his resignation from the War Cabinet. The Prime Minister offered him this appointment because he thought that he could do the work successfully. The answer to the last part of the question of the hon. Member for Pembroke is in the negative.

Mr. HOGGE

Will this work also include the work of receiving special reports from the paid, spies of the Government?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not know to what the hon. Member refers when he talks about "paid spies," but it will include the receiving of reports from the servants of the Government.

Mr. A. F. WHYTE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this appointment has created widespread dissatisfaction?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Perhaps the hon. Member is better able to judge of that than I am.

Mr. BILLING

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether a knowledge of international finance is a necessary qualification for this job?

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