§ 50. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when it is proposed to issue a White Paper containing proposals in regard to the overseas information services following the review he has undertaken.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Dr. Charles Hill)I hope it will be possible to make some announcement on this subject in the near future.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes the Chancellor propose to publish a White Paper or simply to make an announcement? Does he not agree that it is highly desirable that a full statement should be made and should be available to the House so that we can have a debate on the facts?
§ Dr. HillIt will be a full statement of the Government's conclusions in the appropriate form, White Paper or otherwise.
§ Mr. ShinwellWould the Chancellor be good enough to tell us what happened at Chequers over the week-end?
§ Mr. GreenwoodWill the White Paper contain a statement of the principles upon which we propose to conduct our overseas propaganda as well as the various organisational changes which are envisaged?
§ Dr. HillWhile I am unable to anticipate its content, the points made by the hon. Member are in mind.
§ Mr. ShinwellWas not that a very poor answer which the right hon. Gentleman gave me? Were there not fun and games at Chequers? Cannot he be a little more forthcoming?
§ Mr. PopplewellWill the right hon. Gentleman say why these economy cuts are taking place in the information services overseas, particularly at Hamburg? We have had very useful information 899 services at Hamburg, but they have suddenly been cut and taken away from the centre of the town, with the result that the necessary information which is essential for selling our ideas overseas has been seriously curtailed. Will the White Paper cover the whole of these questions?
§ Dr. HillWhat has been under consideration is the re-deployment of the information services generally, but if the hon. Member wishes to obtain information on particular points perhaps he would put a Question on the Order Paper.