§ 46. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the need for straight British news, by reason of the intensive anti-British propaganda now being carried on by certain other countries, His Majesty's Government will consider the desirability of establishing a special Press and propaganda department?
§ The Prime MinisterHis Majesty's Government attach great importance to the maintenance of the well-recognised tradition of objectivity and independence in the provision of news by British agencies; and they would deprecate any action that might be interpreted as an effort to introduce official control.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not possible to avoid carrying on a propaganda against any other country and at the same time, in view of the facts of the present international situation, to realise that it is essential to-day for British publicity to be organised on a much more extensive scale than in the past?
§ The Prime MinisterThe measures we are now taking will fulfil this object.
§ Mr. KirkwoodDoes not the Prime Minister think it very bad propaganda for his country that our shipbuilders should go to Holland for their ships?