§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lrds, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if their attention has been drawn to the reference in the report of the British Council to the great disparity between British exports of books and those of Russia and U.S.A. and to the fact that Russia is spending on English language publications sent outside Russia twenty times as much as our English language exports, and what action they contemplate to remedy this situation.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)My Lords, the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been drawn to that section of the British Council's report which deals with the export of books. Her Majesty's Government are fully aware of the need to increase these exports and are giving consideration to the measures which are needed to promote this. It is hoped to make a further statement in the New Year.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, while thanking the noble Marquess for that encouraging Answer, can I ask him, in having regard to the considerations which are being given to this matter, whether he is aware that the Russians are selling Tolstoy to paint a false picture of modern Russia and Dickens to paint a false picture of modern Britain, and that the effect is greatest in those countries where sterling difficulties preclude the ordinary commercial sale of books? Would it be possible to follow the American method of getting over these sterling difficulties and so make cheap books and periodicals available to the poor but progressive youngsters who may one day be running their countries, and thus give them a true picture of the strength, variety and freedom of modern Britain?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for this valuable suggestion and can assure him that all the points he has raised are being given most careful consideration.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, if it is proposed to devote more money to the British Council for this purpose, may I ask the noble Marquess whether he will bear in mind the needs of the Arts Council which were adumbrated in this House last week?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I am afraid I must call the attention of the noble Viscount to the fact that the Question does not apply to the Arts Council.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I have taken note of that fact and therefore did not 3 put such a question. That does not mean that we shall not return to that subject again. I feel that my noble friend has done a service by raising this point. I am concerned about the general lack of scope for the British Council in such matters, because they are still so restricted in funds in relation to the work that remains to be done at the present time if we are to regain something of the initiative that we, in our national position, ought to hold in countries which are now the centres of activity diplomatically.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount the Leader of the Opposition for his intervention. I can assure him that what he has said will certainly be taken to heart by Her Majesty's Government.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, with regard to the reference to the British Council, will the noble Marquess bear in mind the fact that the Council are doing their gallant best with an annual expenditure of some £160,000 on periodicals, which, spread over sixty-five countries, means only £50 per week per country and is barely enough for serious students. And will he have regard to places like Kuwait, where almost every teacher is an Egyptian, purveying history according to Nasser? Cannot we act in the same way as Russia is acting in believing that trade and influence follow the printed word, so that people shall know us as we are instead of as we are painted by our enemies?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I did my best to answer these questions in my original reply, and at this moment I cannot go further than assure the noble Lord that it is our hope that in the New Year we shall be able to make a further statement which will be satisfactory to the noble Lord.