§ 59. Mr. J. Morganasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information the total number of staff now employed at the Ministry; and how many are professional journalists?
§ Sir E. GriggThe total staff employed at the headquarters of the Ministry number 872, and in the regional offices 127. The number of journalists actually engaged in that profession at the time of their appointment is 26 at headquarters and 17 in the regional offices. In addition, there are in the news division 48 officers who were appointed because of their familiarity with the Press relations work of Government Departments or the B.B.C., combined in many cases wtih previous journalistic or broadcasting experience.
§ Mr. MorganWill the Minister kindly take note of the concern of this House at the statement he has just made and offer us at an early date a more satisfactory explanation of this preponderance of officials as against professional people who understand newspaper work?
§ Sir E. GriggMy Noble Friend recognises that the situation requires investigation —
§ Sir E. Grigg— and we are taking steps to enable this investigation to be made. The Treasury will be involved in the necessary review.
§ Sir Percy HarrisCan the Minister say who made these appointments?
§ Sir E. GriggThey were made in every case after full consultation with Treasury representatives.
§ Mr. StokesIs it not a fact that a great proportion of the officials of the Physical Fitness Department have been transferred to the Ministry?
§ Sir E. GriggI should not like to answer from memory, but I am answering further questions on this point to-morrow, and if they do not give the hon. Member 1210 the information I hope he will repeat his question.
§ 60. Mr. Stokesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information how many members of his staff have sufficient knowledge of the German language to qualify as interpreters?
§ Sir E. GriggA knowledge of German has not been laid down as a qualification for appointment to the staff of the Ministry. It would, therefore, not be possible to answer the hon. Member's question accurately without holding a special inquiry. If, however, the hon. Member desires to know whether the Ministry contains a sufficient number of German linguists to deal with all its requirements in that language, my Noble Friend can assure him that such is the case.
§ Mr. StokesThe Minister says that he has sufficient members on the staff who understand the German language. I believe he has only one.
§ Sir E. GriggThere are a number but I cannot answer without notice.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonWill the Minister make use of any Members of Parliament who speak and understand German and French?