HC Deb 18 April 1944 vol 399 cc20-2
37. Colonel Arthur Evans

asked the Minister of Information if, in view of the damage done to Anglo-American relations by propaganda to the effect that the British Government has issued a leaflet to American troops calculated to influence their voting in the forthcoming Presidential Election, he will take steps to rebut this propaganda.

The Minister of Information (Mr. Brendan Bracken)

My hon. and gallant Friend's Question doubtless refers to a frenzied attack by the Hearst Press on a news sheet called "Welcome" which is issued by the Ministry of Information to American soldiers on their arrival in Great Britain. "Welcome" consists of four pages. The first two are prepared by the Ministry of Information and consist of a message from the Prime Minister and some geographical points about the British Isles. The other two pages contain the news of the day compiled by editors of papers published near the ports. The editors give their services voluntarily and are completely free from interference by the Ministry of Information in their selection of news. A news item in "Welcome" about the forthcoming American election was described by the Hearst Press as "falsification and impudent interference in American affairs" and as "propaganda intended and designed to promote the reelection of Franklin D. Roosevelt as President of the United States." And in a rictus of rage the Hearst Press declared that "Welcome's" news item was a "meddlesome interference on the part of the British Government in American affairs." In order, I suppose, to strengthen the invective the last two words were printed in capital letters. Who was responsible for this wicked news item? Every word in it was cabled from New York by an agency controlled by the United Press. No British subject directs the policy of that great news agency or any of its affiliates. I imagine they will be surprised by the Hearst statement that their news can be falsified by the British Government or that they are promoting the re-election of Mr. Roosevelt.

Sir Irving Albery

Was the idea of issuing this publication to American troops on their arrival in this country suggested to American Army headquarters before it took place?

Mr. Bracken

I do not know whether it was suggested to American Army headquarters or not, but we are a free country and we issue any information or pamphlets we like.

Sir I. Albery

Is it not desirable that any publications that are issued to American troops in this country should first of all be approved by American headquarters?

Mr. Bracken

I should say myself that it is a very strange doctrine to ask American headquarters to approve any papers issued to troops. All these papers are prepared by people who thoroughly understand the United States and I do not believe that American generals want to set themselves up as censors of publications.