HC Deb 06 July 1949 vol 466 c2127
12. Mr. Wilson Harris

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to appoint a new editor of the publication "British Ally."

Mr. Bevin

A number of applications, including several submitted by the Ministry of Labour Appointments Department with the co-operation of the National Union of Journalists, have been received and examined. Selected candidates, six in number, were interviewed last Monday. I hope to make an appointment very shortly.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear whether this position is one of responsible editor or technical news editor, and with whom the ultimate responsibility for this appointment lies?

Mr. Bevin

If the hon. Member will put that question down I will give a perfectly clear answer.

Sir Stanley Holmes

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered for this position the editor of the "Spectator"?

Mrs. Leah Manning

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is at present no British editor of this paper, and in view of its great usefulness and popularity would it be possible for him to hasten both the appointment of a British editor as well as matters at the Moscow end?