HC Deb 03 November 1943 vol 393 cc643-4
23. Dr. Russell Thomas

asked the Minister of Information whether he has now anything to communicate in regard to the setting up of a Joint Allied Propaganda Council?

Mr. Thurtle

I would remind my hon. Friend of the answer my right hon. Friend gave him on 30th September, 1942. Since then there has been increasing collaboration between the Information Services of the Allies and if this develops satisfactorily it may lead to the creation of more formal machinery.

Dr. Thomas

Would my hon. Friend say whether his right hon. Friend the Minister of Information gave attention to this matter while he was in America? I understand the difficulties of the right hon. Gentleman in the matter; my object is simply to urge that propaganda should be unified as far as possible.

Mr. Thurtle

I am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.

Captain Alan Graham

In view of the disastrous state of affairs in connection with propaganda in Greece and Jugoslavia, does the hon. Gentleman realise that it is vitally important to the success of the Allied nations?

Mr. Thurtle

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that we are pushing forward with this matter of collaboration as quickly as we can.

Viscountess Astor

Cannot we learn a great deal from the Russians, who are the best propagandists in the world?