HC Deb 24 March 1949 vol 463 c557
51. Mr. Piratin

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the European Recovery Programme Information Office has been established; what is its function; how many are to be employed, and what is the estimated cost.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Douglas Jay)

As announced at the time, the E.R.P. Information Office was set up by the Foreign Office and Treasury some months ago to provide a central point for inquiries from the Press and other sources, and to supply facts and figures about E.R.P. to official and nonofficial information services. The Office is directed by the chief Press officer of the Economic Information Unit, and has a staff of two other officials and one clerical officer. It shares common services with, and is administratively dependent on, the Economic Information Unit of the Treasury. Its establishment involves no separate Vote.