§ 48. Mr. Donnerasked the Lord President of the Council to what extent, and by whom, Central Office of Information officials are briefed before giving lectures or writing reports; and to what extent these reflect Government policy.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind, as the Central Office is an agency, and instructed in all its work by the Ministerial Departments, which take responsibility for any questions of policy. I should perhaps add, however, that no lectures are given by officials of the Central Office, and that any work they may do in preparing reports is confined to their editorial and technical aspects.
§ Mr. DonnerIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in a report on the cost of living, for the benefit of a London chamber of commerce, an official of the Central Office of Information has stated that "rising prices are a good thing because they provide an incentive to business" and that a man "will buy more today if he knows prices are going up tomorrow"? Will the right hon. Gentleman say how he can justify the expenditure of public money on trash of this description and how he can justify the salary of a man who is capable of writing it?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf I may say so, I think it would have been more fair on the part of the hon. Member if he had supplied that information in advance, in which case I would have looked into it; but I cannot be expected to answer on the spur of the moment these detective stories. If he would let me have particulars, I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. DonnerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this was published on 25th January in the "Evening Standard"?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf I may say so, publication in that newspaper is not evidence.
§ Mr. Donnerrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Redmayne.