HC Deb 27 May 1952 vol 501 cc1128-30
5 and 6. Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he will make a statement about the resignation of Major-General Edgeworth-Johnson as Chief Public Relations Officer at the War Office;

(2) under what conditions of service Mr. Sidney Rogerson has been appointed as publicity adviser to the Army Council.

Mr. Head

At the present time Regular recruiting is perhaps the most important question which confronts the Army. Mr. Rogerson is on temporary loan from the Imperial Chemical Industries to advise on public relations policy in the broadest sense and with particular reference to those aspects which concern recruiting. Mr. Rogerson will continue in their payment and I am much indebted to the company for this generous help.

Major-General Edgeworth-Johnstone, who served as Director of Public Relations for some 5½ years, was for the last two holding a temporary civilian appointment. This has been terminated with effect from 1st July in accordance with the agreement under which he was serving.

Mr. Greenwood

Does not the Secretary of State think that in principle it is better that these posts should be filled either by serving officers or by properly qualified public relations officers established in the Civil Service? Does he not think it is really undesirable that Government Departments should accept offers of this kind from private firms, especially in the case of a security Department like the War Office accepting help of this kind from the principal manufacturers of explosives?

Mr. Head

There are many precedents of individuals on loan from various industries in the Ministry of Supply, in connection with munitions and weapons and so on, and I believe that the question of getting men into the Army is just as important as obtaining good weapons. Therefore, I think that the precedent is entirely justified. Mr. Rogerson's qualifications in this respect stand second to none.

Mr. Strachey

Does the right hon. Gentleman's statement not mean that Mr. Rogerson—and we do not want to say anything about him personally—is now on the pay-roll of I.C.I. and remains on that pay-roll during the whole time that he occupies this extremely important and delicate post in the War Office? Does the Minister not think that an arrangement such as that with a great private firm is highly undesirable?

Mr. Head

I should have thought that the right hon. Gentleman would have been aware that there were numerous precedents for this, both in the War Office and in the Ministry of Supply, to do with the whole question of armaments, with weapons and explosives and so forth. I cannot see the point of drawing a distinction between the vital question of manpower and that of weapons. It is no good having the best weapons if there is no one to fire them.

Air Commodore Harvey

How long is it hoped to retain the services of this very able man?

Mr. Head

I hope for 18 months to two years, subject to discussion with the company.

Mr. Greenwood

Obviously, it is desirable that a Department like the War Office should have taken advice on explosives from representatives of this firm, but is the right hon. Gentleman really suggesting that among the very large band of qualified public relations officers in the public service there is none competent to give advice on the kind of publicity that he requires?

Mr. Head

It would be invidious to make comparisons, but I went carefully into this matter when I took office and I was satisfied that the Army was not being put over sufficiently well to the general public.