HC Deb 21 February 1918 vol 103 cc917-9
55. Captain CARR-GOMM

asked the Prime Minister what are the duties and powers of the Ministry of Information and what connection it has with the Ministers for Propaganda?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Propaganda are the same.

captain CARR-GOMM

Who are the Ministers of this Office?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I think there is only one Minister, and he is Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Mr. PRINGLE

Does the Minister for Propaganda write his letters from the offices of the War Cabinet? Is he, then, a member of the War Cabinet?

Mr. BONAR LAW

He is not a member of the War Cabinet. I do not know where he writes his letters.

Mr. BILLING

Has Mr. Robert Donald, editor of the "Daily Chronicle," been appointed Director of Propaganda in Foreign Countries?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have a question, on the Paper in regard to that which I shall answer later.

62. Mr. WALTER ROCH

asked what new appointments have been made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to assist him in his work of propaganda; and whether propaganda in neutral countries has been placed in the hands of Mr. Robert Donald?

Mr. BONAR LAW

When the Department of Information was organised in January, 1917, an Advisory Committee was established consisting of Lord Northcliffe, Lord Burnham, Mr. Robert Donald, and Mr. 0. P. Scott, When Lord Northcliffe proceeded on his mission to America, Lord Beaverbrook was appointed to the Committee, and later Sir George Riddell was added to it. This plan of organisation was never considered satisfactory, either by the members of the Committee or by the Department, and the Minister has decided to ask certain members of the Committee to undertake the direction of the various branches of the Department. The following appointments, therefore, have been made:

Lord Northcliffe, to be Director of Propaganda in Enemy Countries

Mr. Robert Donald, to be Director of Propaganda in Neutral Countries;

Mr. John Buchan, to be Director of Intelligence;

General A. D. MacRae, Quartermaster-General of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, to be Director of Administration;

Sir William Jury, to be in charge of Cinematograph Propaganda; and Sir Roderick Jones, K. B. E., to be Deputy-Director of Allied and Foreign Propaganda.

I may add that about 90 per cent. of the staff has throughout consisted of gentlement with Press experience.

Mr. BILLING

Did the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the record of Mr. Robert Donald before this appointment was made; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he held very anti-British views in the "Chronicle," and has done since the outbreak of war?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not think that I am called upon to answer that question, but, to the best of my knowledge, that statement is absolutely without foundation.

Mr. ROCH

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Donald will continue to edit the "Chronicle," and will this be a part-time job?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I presume that Mr. Donald will continue to edit the "Chronicle."

Mr. BILLING

Is it the intention of the Government to "nobble" every editor in London?

Captain CARR-GOMM

How many public buildings will this Ministry eventually occupy?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have not formed any estimate of that.

Mr. HARCOURT

May I ask whether any offer has been made to the Editor of "John Bull"?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Not so far as I am aware of. [An HON. MEMBER: "Why not?"]