47. Major DAVIESasked the Prime Minister if he will say how many officials have resigned their positions in the Minis try of Propaganda since 10th February; whether he can state the reasons which 528 induced them to resign and how many of these officials have been transferred to the Foreign Office; whether the Foreign Office has a Propaganda Department of its own; and whether he can assure the House that steps have been taken to prevent competition and overlapping between these two Departments?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWSince the 10th February two officials of the Ministry of Information have resigned, one to take a post in another Government Department, the other because of the reconstruction of the section of which he had been in charge. Apart from these, in accordance with the decision taken before the Ministry of Information was established, the staff of the former Intelligence Bureau of the Department of Information was transferred to the Foreign Office. The Foreign Office has no Propaganda Department.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEDoes the Ministry of Information refer to the Foreign Office pamphlets, and so on, dealing with foreign affairs?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is obvious that there must be close connection between the two Departments. I do not suggest it will be possible that everything should be referred to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWhy is it sometimes done, and was the Memorandum of Prince Lichnowsky referred to the Foreign Office?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think I must have notice of that.