HC Deb 05 December 1951 vol 494 cc2365-6
16. Mr. Frederick Gough

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the necessity to curtail Government expenditure, particularly of dollars, he will make inquiries as to what economies can be effected in the Information Services at the British Embassy in Washington.

Mr. Eden

Government expenditure in all fields, including that of the overseas information services, is now under review. As far as the particular question of expenditure on the British Information Services in the United States is concerned, I cannot give any undertaking at present.

Mr. Gough

Will my right hon. Friend give the assurance that, in the meantime, he will see that no unnecessary expenditure is incurred in publications the material of which is open to our Press?

Mr. Eden

I would like to look at that. I have seen something of the work of these services, and I think that many of them do pretty good work.

Mr. C. R. Attlee

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to have regard to the very great value of these services in getting the British point of view put across in America, and will he oppose any shortsighted cutting down of essential services?

Mr. Eden indicated assent.