§ 10. Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister without Portfolio what is his general policy in regard to publicising the proposals, policies, and achievements of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Minister without Portfolio (Mr. W. F. Deedes)Such publicity is the responsibility of the Government as a whole, although in my capacity as Minister co-ordinating the home information 9 services I am always ready to advise Ministers on timing and presentation. Apart from Parliament, which is and must always be the principal forum for presenting the policies of Her Majesty's Government, I think there is no better method of giving them publicity than through the free institutions of the Press and broadcasting. I try to ensure they get all the facilities they need.
§ Sir T. MooreI thank my hon. Friend for that informative reply. May we assume that he will give due publicity to the massive achievements of Her Majesty's Government which are so many, so varied and so beneficial, but yet are not properly and fully appreciated? At the same time, will he continue to bear in mind and give due weight to the imaginative policies shown by the Government?
§ Mr. DeedesYes, but I have to distinguish between Government information services, for which the taxpayer pays, and what the party is, and should be able to do for itself.
§ Mr. RossAs the greatest achievement in Ayr at the moment is that the unemployment figure is higher than it has been since the war, will the Minister tell us whether, when issuing proposals and policies, he proposes to issue blank sheets of paper?
§ Mr. DeedesThe Government information services can be counted on to give the facts in their proper perspective.
§ Dame Irene WardWhy does not my right hon. Friend "hit" the hon. Gentleman hard? I would hit him hard.