26. Mr. Vaneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the widespread interest in Iceland in English language and literature and desire for closer contact with British institutions; and what steps he is taking to help meet these wishes and so cement Anglo-Icelandic friendship.
§ Dr. Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will extend the work of the British Council to Iceland.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyMy right hon. and learned Friend has learned with pleasure of the desire in Iceland for closer Anglo-Icelandic cultural relations. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in the course of his review of the Government's Oversea Information Services, is examining the British Council's future plans. Proposals for promoting Anglo-Icelandic cultural relations are included in those plans. The hon. Member for Itchen (Dr. King) and my hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland (Mr. Vane) will not, of course, expect me to anticipate the review of the Chancellor of the Duchy.
Mr. VaneWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that there is: considerable misgiving in Iceland among people who are friendly to us about the increasing propaganda and increasing amount of money being spent by Russia in the face of an ever-smaller sum being spent by ourselves? Will he bear in mind the importance of Iceland and realise that it is of much greater use to us than its population and remote situation might lead one to believe?
§ Mr. HarveyI am obliged to my hon. Friend for outlining those points. We will certainly bear the matter in mind.