§ 25. Mr. Silkinasked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been drawn to a memorandum, consisting of seven sheets, summarising Sir Bernard Pares' Penguin "Russia," which has been circulated to persons on the panel of speakers and others by the meetings officer of London region; how many such memoranda have been circulated; and whether, as such a summary is valueless, he will take steps to prevent in future this wasteful expenditure of time, labour and paper?
§ Mr. BrackenThis memorandum is in a form intended as background information for speakers who may be called upon to deal with the subject, and 450 copies have been distributed mainly for this purpose. Since it was prepared by Sir Bernard Pares himself at a time when his Penguin book on Russia was out of print, I cannot agree that it is valueless.
§ Mr. SilkinHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the memorandum himself?
§ Mr. BrackenYes, Sir, I have. It was prepared by the author, and I should have thought that he was the best judge as to its efficacy.
§ Mr. GallacherWill not the Minister consider getting Comrade Harry Pollitt to prepare a memorandum or make a statement over the B.B.C.? Why does the Minister refuse to allow Harry Pollitt to make a speech over the wireless?