HC Deb 08 June 1981 vol 6 c18
Mr. Marlow

asked the Paymaster General what is the number of Government information officers; and how they are co-ordinated.

Mr. Pym

I understand from my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department, that there were 1,217 staff in the information officer group at 1 January 1981. That is on the basis of counting two part-timers as one officer. It has been the practice for many years for regular co-ordination meetings to take place.

Mr. Marlow

If, at some time in the future, my right hon. Friend would like to mount an information campaign about the EEC to the British public, will he ask his information officers or anyone else who might be involved in such a campaign to be objective and not to try to sell this somewhat shop-soiled institution as if it were some form of industrial energising breakfast cereal?

Mr. Pym

Different Ministers in different Departments would approach the subject in different ways, according to their interests. For example, the Departments of Trade and Employment attach most importance to the jobs that go with the trade that we do with the European Community. The Foreign Office would approach the matter in a different way in view of its responsibilities. That is the best answer that I can give my hon. Friend. At present, there is no campaign, as such, to sell or promote the European Community. It is done by departmental Ministers, as they think best.

Mr. Robert Atkins

Does my right hon. Friend intend to advise his information officers, or anyone else in his Department, to spread a word of thanks, if nothing else, for the work that has been done over the years by his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, particularly in view of his forthcoming sixtieth birthday?

Mr. Pym

Perhaps I should make it clear that I am not responsible for the information officers. They belong to the Departments for which they work.