§ 49. Mr. STURROCKasked the Prime Minister whether certain sections of the late Ministry of Information have now been incorporated in the Foreign Office; whether he can state what functions they are performing; and whether an estimate has been made as to the annual cost of this extension of the work of the Foreign Office?
Mr. HARMSWORTHMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this ques- 1364 tion. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. By direction of the War Cabinet, at the dissolution of the Ministry of Information, other Government Departments were instructed to consider what elements of permanent value they should assume from among the activities of that Ministry; and the Foreign Office is now again responsible for the enlightenment of foreign countries as to British objects and achievements. I trust that this information will more and more assume a commercial complexion, and be a valuable aid to British trade abroad. An estimate of the annual cost of such work has been made and presented to the Treasury.