§ 50. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Prime Minister whether the new department or office presided over by Sir R. Vansittart will include our constitution, Parliament, democracy, religion, and freedom as elements of British culture which it is desirable to explain to the world?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Co-ordinating Committee of which Sir Robert Vansittart is Chairman is neither a department nor an office. Its function is to coordinate and advise upon the work being done by various bodies engaged in British publicity abroad. Of these bodies the British Council, whose function is to spread a better knowledge of this country in the cultural and educational field, has already to a large extent acted on the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion by means of lectures, pamphlets and other material.
Miss RathboneDoes the right hon. Gentleman imply that it is not within the function of the Committee to recommend an extension of the excellent, but almost negligibly small, activities of the British Council and other bodies?
§ The Prime MinisterOne of its functions is to advise on work being done.
Mr. AlexanderAre the Government considering the amount of assistance that can be given to this work?
§ The Prime MinisterThat has already been considered.