§ 35. Commander Locker-Lampsonasked the Minister of Information whether he will consider allowing the small Italian organ of freedom, "Lettera Italiana," to be enlarged and printed; and whether the Italians here may broadcast for five minutes once every 24 hours in Italian to Italy?
§ Mr. ThurtleMy right hon. Friend regrets that in present circumstances he cannot give increased facilities to any foreign language periodicals. With regard to the second part of the Question, the Free Italian Movement already has broadcasting time on four days a week. The hon. and gallant Member will, I am sure, appreciate that the time available in the European Services of the B.B.C. for broadcasting in Italian is already fully occupied and I do not think that there will he any opportunity of supplementing the broadcasts by the Free Italian Movement.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonDoes not my hon. Friend think that it would be one of the most important functions of this Department to win over the enemy by more frequent propaganda of this sort?
§ Mr. ThurtleThere is no dispute as to the importance of propaganda to Italy, and we are doing the best we can in that respect.