§ 48. Mr. STURROCKasked the Prime Minister whether the National War Aims 1366 Committee is still in existence; whether he can state what work it is doing; and whether it is proposed to utilise this organisation in connection with the statement that propaganda is necessary at home in order to aid in preventing industrial unrest?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe activities of the National War Aims Committee were suspended from 13th November, 1918, and the Committee was formally dissolved on 21st February, 1919. The question of setting up a definite Department for public information is receiving consideration, but meanwhile the necessary work is being carried on by the Departments concerned.
§ Mr. DEVLINIf this question is under consideration, will the right hon. Gentleman explain the meaning of the paragraph in the "Daily News" to-day which says that a Committee has been set up?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have not seen the paragraph. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question I will answer it.
§ Mr. DEVLINI shall certainly put down two or three.
§ Sir D. MACLEANIn the further consideration of this matter will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the great undesirability of committing the Government to propaganda in this country on subjects which provoke acute controversy?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat, of course, will be considered, but there are many subjects where, I am sure, all parties will agree that information ought to be circulated.
§ Mr. STURROCKWill the House be given an opportunity of discussing the question of future propaganda before any action is taken?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWOf necessity there will be an opportunity on the Vote.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the propaganda include misrepresentation of Ireland in America?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWould not the matter be discussed upstairs in Grand Committee?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNot necessarily; every Vote must be reported to this House.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan we have a guarantee that the matter will be discussed downstairs?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo; I cannot give such a guarantee.
§ Mr. DEVLINIn this very important matter affecting liberty of publication, freedom of the Press, freedom from corruption and Government interference, will the right hon. Gentleman see that it is discussed; it is more than a matter of expenditure, it is a matter of policy?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe matter is one that cannot be delayed; some information ought to be published at once. If, however, there is any general desire for discussion I shall certainly do my best to give opportunity for it.
§ 62. Mr. WATERSONasked the Prime Minister whether any committee has been set up to carry on an educational propaganda affecting employers and workpeople; if so, has such committee met; what are its functions and main objects; and is he prepared to make any statement on the subject?
§ Mr. PRATTI have been asked to answer this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the remaining parts do not, therefore, arise.