HC Deb 17 July 1941 vol 373 cc739-40
67. Mr. Granville

asked the Minister of Information whether he will set up an Anglo-American bureau for the dissemination of war news and information to the United States of America for the arranging of wireless talks, the making of films, and to invite the co-operation of American war correspondents and journalists such as Mr. Quentin Reynolds, Miss Dorothy Thompson, and Mr. Raymond Gram Swing, as well as film experts and propagandists for this purpose?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information (Mr. Harold Nicolson)

All the activities the hon. Member mentions are already being undertaken by the Ministry, and I gratefully record the most valuable help and co-operation we receive from the distinguished Americans he names and from many others, but I am satisfied that the official association of American citizens with the Ministry of Information in executive responsibility has for the present nothing to recommend it.

Mr. Granville

Is my hon. Friend aware of the considerable dissatisfaction among American journalists and war correspondents with the arrangements at the Ministry for the dissemination of war news, and will he consider giving American journalists and war correspondents special facilities to get their communications to America before those from Dr. Goebbels?

Mr. Nicolson

This matter is under constant consideration.

Sir Stanley Reed

Will my hon. Friend also remember that distinguished Dominion journalists feel that very often they are put in a position, of inferiority to other correspondents in the facilities for the dissemination of news?

Mr. Granville

Will my hon. Friend see that something is done, and not that the matter is merely considered?