HC Deb 11 November 1957 vol 577 cc581-2
1. Sir T. Moore

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is satisfied that British Information Services are successfully putting the achievements, ideals and way of life of Britain to the world, and are equally successful in combating critical or hostile propaganda from many countries.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Dr. Charles Hill)

I am never satisfied. The British Information Services are doing an excellent job, but I am confident that the measures announced in the White Paper Cmnd. 225 published last July will enable them to do even better.

Sir T. Moore

My right hon. Friend will, of course, appreciate that this Question was drafted before the recent visit of Her Majesty to North America, where she did this job so magnificently for her-self. Will my right hon. Friend also appreciate that that visit and the visit of the Prime Minister were admirably covered by the Information Services?

Dr. Hill

I appreciate what my hon. Friend has said about the Information Services.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

As the right hon. Gentleman is not satisfied, will he look again at his decision to close down the B.B.C. services to Scandinavia and Portugal, the effect of which has been to create in both of those countries a vacuum which Germany and Russia are only too happy to fill?

Dr. Hill

A good deal of thought was given to the subject before those decisions were reached. I can hold out no hope that there will be any modification of them.