HC Deb 22 October 1941 vol 374 c1768
31. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Information whether he has considered the manifesto issued by the Lord Mayor of Manchester and the mayors of Salford and Stretford, a copy of which has been sent to him; and, in view of the national lead it gives and the responsible source from which it comes, whether he will ask the British Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast it?

The Minister of Information (Mr. Brendan Bracken)

When the manifesto in question was originally issued, the Ministry of Information took steps to bring it to the attention of religious leaders both at home and abroad. It also received considerable Press publicity. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by broadcasting it now.

Sir W. Smithers

Does not the Minister think that a national lead of this kind should receive wide publicity over the air?

Mr. Bracken

A courageous lead of that kind ought to receive the widest publicity.

Mr. Thorne

Where can we get the text of that manifesto?

Miss Eleanor Rathbone

Could not a copy of it be placed in the Library?