HC Deb 11 December 1950 vol 482 cc808-9
46. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

asked the Prime Minister whether he will reconstitute the Political Warfare Executive in order to combat Communist doctrines.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. The Political Warfare Executive was established in the last war for the purpose of directing propaganda in enemy occupied territories. A special executive was required because three different Ministers were then concerned with those activities, namely, the Foreign Secretary, the Minister of Information and the Minister of Economic Warfare. At the present time our Overseas Information Services in foreign countries fall within the policy control of a single Minister, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Colonel Hutchison

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree with the view put forward by Mr. Truman and by Mr. Spender of Australia, that the best way to fight Communist doctrine is by telling the truth about living conditions behind the Iron Curtain? Whether the Political Warfare Executive is the correct organisation or whether another organisation should be set up, will the Minister make known those views and conditions?

Mr. Morrison

My impression is that we are acting in accordance with the wish expressed by the hon. and gallant Member.