MINISTER OF INFORMATION. (Hansard, 3 July 1941)

§ Captain Cunningham-Reid (Marylebone)
I should first like to thank the Minister of Information for his courtesy in saying that he would remain in the House for a short time, as I want to draw the attention of the House to one or two matters concerning the Ministry of Information, and also the right hon. Gentleman, who has just somewhat surprisingly left the House.

§ Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Sir Dennis Herbert)
Am I to understand that the hon. and gallant Gentleman wants to refer to the speech which the right hon. Gentleman has just made?

§ Captain Cunningham-Reid
No, I did not say that, Sir. I was going to make a brief reference to the speech made today by the Lord President of the Council, but I need not if that is out of Order.

§ Captain Cunningham-Reid
I should like to give some considerations to the House concerning the Minister of Information. The Minister of Information is about as intangible as propaganda itself. He is a clever man, and when it is pointed out to him that something is wrong in his Department, he admits it if there is justification, but disarms his critics by adding, "I wish I could find a solution." The Minister of Information has admitted publicly that the Ministry of Information is run by amateurs. When he is criticized 1626 for giving out inadequate information, he points an accusing finger at the Service Departments, and conveys the impression that it would be easier to get gold out of the back teeth of a miser than to get up-to-date information from the Service Departments. In spite of anything which might have been said, I am of opinion that the Minister of Information has it in his own power to alter all this. He has been respected as a brilliant politician who has the courage of his convictions.