§ 34. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what space has been acquired in newspapers circulating in Asia in order to explain the Government's colonial policy.
Dr. HillIt has never been the practice of Her Majesty's Government to purchase space in newspapers in Asia or elsewhere, on the grounds that there are better ways of securing the coverage in newspapers abroad of British policy and affairs. The news service and feature articles of the London Press Service are, for instance, widely available and used.
§ Mr. RobinsonWhilst appreciating the difficulties of explaining, or indeed 15 explaining away, some aspects of Government colonial policy, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the suggestion in this Question might be pursued and might be of help?
Dr. HillI did phrase my reply so as to suggest that, while it had never been done in the past, it was not necessarily excluded in the future.