§ Overseas Services (Improvements)
§ 1. Mr. Liptonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what improvements he is making in British information services in the Middle East.
§ 2. Captain Pilkingtonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement on recent progress as regards British propaganda in the Middle East.
§ 5. Mr. Anthony Greenwoodasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his recent visit to information services overseas.
§ 7. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he proposes to take in regard to overseas information services following his recent overseas tour.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Dr. Charles Hill)During September, I visited information posts in India, Pakistan, Aden, British Somaliland, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. My purpose was to study on the spot the work of the information service, to assess the improvements and extensions authorised last year and described in the White Paper issued in July, 1957 (Cmnd. 225) and to find out whether any further improvements or changes were needed.
Vigorous efforts are being made to explain British ideas, policies and objectives 580 to these countries, and I would like to pay a warm tribute to the men and women who are engaged in this work. But the areas and populations are large, the problems are complex and there is fierce competition for a hearing. I formed the conclusion that we should intensify our effort, adapt it to new circumstances and increase the resources available. I refer particularly to the need to counter hostile radio propaganda, to increase the flow of British books and to expand the programme of English teaching. In a number of other ways, too, we can and should improve our services.
The Government, therefore, have approved in principle a substantial strengthening of our information effort. Plans are now being worked out, and I will inform the House as soon as possible of the detailed measures to be taken.
§ Mr. LiptonWill the right hon. Gentleman say, or can he give us an idea, when, approximately, these new improvements are likely to be put into effect, because of the very dismal failure of British propaganda in the Middle East for many years past?
§ Dr. HillWhile not accepting the statement in the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, may I say that these matters are being dealt with urgently. Some of the lesser ones are being put into operation forthwith, and the major ones I hope to report in detail to the House in a few weeks' time.
§ Captain PilkingtonCan my right hon. Friend say whether there is any evidence yet of results being achieved?
§ Dr. HillI have referred to a proposed substantial strengthening of the information services. While that strengthening is needed, let it not be assumed that a very great deal of valuable work is not going on today.
§ Mr. Anthony GreenwoodThe right hon. Gentleman will be aware that his new proposals will be welcomed, particularly with regard to the distribution of English books overseas, but could he say how he proposes to announce his future plans? Is it possible that he will present a White Paper showing the progress made with implementing his previous proposals 581 and indicating the work of the various information services for which he has some degree of responsibility?
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea of the extra cost that this will involve, and can he say to what extent broadcasting is being increased and efforts made to transmit on medium waves so that there can be better reception in these areas than at present?
§ Dr. HillI cannot now make an estimate of the cost while the plans are being worked out, but when I make a fuller announcement I will then give an indication of the cost. The consideration being given certainly includes the urgent consideration of the signal being heard in that area.