§ 65 and 66. Captain Pooleasked the Minister of Information (1) whether he is aware that we are still failing in our news and information services to the United States of America; and whether he proposes any further action to improve the position;
(2) what is being done by his American Department to make full and accurate information of Britain's part in the war available to people living west of Chicago; and if he is a ware of the need which exists for such information?
§ Mr. BrackenThe main work of supplying British news to the United States is of course done by the correspondents of the American Press and Broadcasting systems. The ability and enterprise of these gentlemen is an example to journalists everywhere. The British Information Service does not attempt to compete with these American correspondents. I know that its staff are doing very useful work in supplementing the information given to the American public through their own newspapers and radio networks The British. Information Service has offices in Chicago and San Francisco.
§ Captain PooleIs the Minister aware that many of the people whom he eulogised, American Pressmen, are complaining of the lack of information which they are getting from this country; and if he does not realise that, will he again look into the question to see whether it is the function of his organisation in America not to set up a huge administration but rather to get representative men and women of 1975 this country to meet with and talk to American people, to let them know something more of our point of view?
§ Mr. BrackenIn regard to the first part of the question, if the hon. and gallant Memher tells me that American correspondents in London are criticising their own work, I can tell him that he is wrong. In regard to the second part of his Question, British Information Service is a small and modest organisation which does exactly what he suggests.
§ Captain PooleMay I ask the Minister whether he has not misunderstood my question? I was referring to American Press correspondents in America. Will he give us the number of people who are employed by his organisation in America?
§ Mr. BrackenI should be very glad to do so if the hon. and gallant Member put down a Question.
§ Mrs. Beatrice WrightIs my right hon. Friend aware that one of the great difficulties in the way of getting news to the people of America is the fact that very few of them are provided with sets which can pick up our short-wave transmissions, and does he not know that very few people in Chicago ever get British news?
§ Mr. BrackenYes, Sir, but I am not in a position to equip 130,000,000 people in America with wireless sets.
§ Mrs. WrightCould not the difficulty be overcome if arrangements could be made whereby many of our admirable broadcasts could be re-broadcast on American wave-lengths?
§ Mr. BrackenThat is exactly what is happening at the present time. We have negotiated with the big broadcasting systems of America, and increasing space is being given every day to records of British broadcasts made here.