§ 43. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister what is the total cost of the Cabinet Press Bureau; who is the person in charge of the Publicity Department of the Cabinet; and whether, in view of existing conditions, he is now prepared to dispense with the services of a Publicity Department in connection with the Cabinet?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThere is no Cabinet Press Bureau. The rest of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs it not a fact that some of the confidential letters addressed by the Prime Minister to Sir James Craig appeared in the Press before Sir James Craig received them, and will the right hon. Gentleman explain how that came about?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI cannot answer that question without notice. I have answered the question put on the Paper. There is no such thing as a Cabinet Press Bureau, and it exists only in imagination.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf there is no Cabinet Press Bureau what is the Department in Downing Street which gives out propaganda to the Press?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of any such Department. What I am aware of is that I can hardly go in or out of my house without observing the representatives of the Press watching over all our movements.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDo I understand that there is no Publicity Department in connection with the Cabinet?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. We are our own Publicity Department. My hon. Friend will find our policy and attitude defined in our speeches, which I hope he will be good enough to read instead of taking it from other sources.
§ Mr. DEVLINCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the precise result of those speeches?