HC Deb 24 April 1961 vol 639 cc12-4
18. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the proposed cost of the overseas information services in 1961–62; and how much is attributable to the British Council, the British Broadcasting Corporation's external services, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Colonial Information Services, respectively.

Dr. Hill

£20.2 million. £6.4 million of this will be for the British Council, £7.0 million for the B.B.C.'s external services and monitoring, and £3.6 million, £2.4 million and £07 million for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Colonial Offices' Overseas information work respectively. A statement explaining this appreciable increase in estimated expenditure, together with detailed figures, is given as Table VI in the Financial Secretary's Memorandum on the Estimates.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the scale of these activities will be welcome but that, compared with the need and opportunity, we are still not doing nearly enough in this field? Will he consider particularly the fact that the amount of B.B.C. broadcasting is still being constantly overtaken by other countries? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider issuing a White Paper to set out the overall policy and direction behind the information services, which is not very clear at the moment?

Dr. Hill

First, it is true that, of the increase of about £2 million, about £1 million goes to the British Council, about £700,000 to the Commonwealth Relations Office and about £300,000 to the B.B.C. In answer to the hon. Gentleman's second point, I am sure that he agrees that it is not only quantity but quality as well which matters and that the B.B.C.'s reputation for objectivity is of immense value. Thirdly, I will consider the point that the hon. Gentleman has made.

Sir G. Nicholson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is the danger of a certain hiatus when a Colony attains independence? Will he pay particular attention to that point?

Dr. Hill

Particular attention is being paid to it, and it lies behind some of the changes in these Estimates.