§ 69. Mr. Vernon Bartlettasked the Minister of Information what steps he is taking to make known in France and other liberated countries the British Government's proposals to assure full employment, better national health and other social reforms upon which progress has been made since Dunkirk.
§ Mr. BrackenCopies of the relevant White Papers, reference documents and articles on these subjects have already been sent to France in quantities which will allow each French newspaper to have a set. We should like to obtain a large distribution of these documents and other British publicity material. A vast amount is ready for delivery to France and Belgium. But I should be wanting in frankness were I not to tell the House that transport facilities available to the Ministry of Information could not be more unsatisfactory. I am told that when urgent military needs are fulfilled it will be possible for many more British books and newspapers to circulate in France and Belgium where I have every reason to know they are eagerly awaited.
§ 70. Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of Information whether he will invite a group of prominent French and Belgian journalists to visit Britain at the earliest possible moment in order that they may learn details of the British war effort.
§ Mr. BrackenYes, Sir. Our Ambassador in Paris has already been asked to invite a number of French editors, and similar arrangements will be made for Belgian editors as soon as possible.
§ Mr. McGovernWill the Minister make sure that none of these journalists who come will have any anti-war views?
§ Mr. A. BevanWill the Minister see to it, if he proposes to give facilities to Continental journalists to come to this country, that proper facilities will be given to British journalists to go to the Continent, and not necessarily in uniform?
§ Mr. BrackenI very much hope that that suggestion will be fulfilled.