HC Deb 17 July 1940 vol 363 cc205-6
37. Sir R. Acland

asked the Minister of Information whether there is any man on the directing body of the Ministry who has had first-hand experience of the lives of working people?

Mr. Cooper

There is a number of men—and women—on the directing staff of the Ministry who have had first-hand experience of the lives of working people.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the hon. Member who asked this question has had a first-hand experience of the lives of working people?

Mr. Lawson

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us who these people are?

Mr. Cooper

I think the previous Supplementary Question shows that it would be rather invidious to mention names, because it is difficult to say who has or who has not had such first-hand experience, but there are several former members of the Labour party, some future candidates of the Labour party and some Labour party organisers who were employed on the "Daily Herald."

Sir R. Acland

Is it wrong for those who have not had this experience to desire that those who have had such experience should be added to the directing body of the Ministry?