§ 2. Sir T. Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many copies of his departmental booklet, "The Modern Commonwealth", have been distributed or bought in Great Britain, the Commonwealth and other countries, respectively.
§ Mr. SandysThis booklet was designed primarily for free distribution. Some 55,000 copies have been distributed overseas through the British Information Services and some 20,000 to schools and interested bodies in Britain. In addition, several thousand copies have been sold through Her Majesty's Stationery Office. A reprint of another 14,000 has been ordered to meet further requirements for distribution and sale.
§ Sir T. MooreAs you know, Mr. Speaker, I am not given to flattering Ministers—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]— but will my right hon. Friend appreciate that those of us who have read the pamphlet find it fascinating and extremely enlightening and illuminating? Will he, therefore, take all possible steps to have it distributed, or get it known, not only throughout the Commonwealth, but in those countries like the United States and others which have such a distorted view of our so-called British colonialism?
§ Mr. SandysI am glad that my hon. Friend found the pamphlet agreeable reading.
§ Mr. StracheyMay I, as a fellow author, congratulate the Secretary of State on his sales—I hope that he receives the due royalties on them; and on the opportunities for spreading this very useful pamphlet?