HL Deb 26 January 1961 vol 227 cc1308-9
LORD BIRDWOOD

My Lords, I beg leave 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 they can outline the measures which are being taken to give full publicity to the present Royal Tour, in foreign countries.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)

My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that no pains have been spared to obtain full publicity abroad for the Royal Tour. I will give the House only a brief summary of these arrangements, but I should be glad to give the noble Lord full details later if he would like them.

In advance of the tour, our diplomatic posts abroad were supplied with ample publicity material, including special television and newsreel film. During the tour, full use is being made of daily eye-witness reports, radio tapes, photographs and films. In particular, the weekly British television news, which is used by television stations and cinemas in 30 countries, is carrying regular items with commentaries in a number of languages. Documentary films in colour, with commentaries in ten languages, are being made for distribution after the tour. All this is being done in full cooperation with the information services of the host Governments. Naturally very keen interest in the Royal Tour is being shown by Press, radio and television throughout the world.

LORD BIRDWOOD

My Lords, I thank the noble Marquess very much for his answer. It indicates, of course, that very complete arrangements have been made. May I just ask him whether there is any hope at all of these complete arrangements reaching the public in such places as Moscow or Prague, where otherwise, of course, they would receive either a distorted picture or the operation would be presented as a kind of Imperial plot?

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, naturally every effort is made by our information officers in the countries behind the Iron Curtain. The B.B.C. external services also put out material to the Iron Curtain countries but, of course, there is the difficulty of jamming, and Press censorship makes full publicity difficult. I think perhaps I should remind the noble Lord of the answer that was given to him on a parallel question by my noble friend the Foreign Secretary. He said [OFFICIAL REPORT, Vol. 227 (No. 27), col. 1018]: It would be a great help to co-existence, of course, if Press censorship were lifted, if radio jamming were ended, and all that. I think that we are making very, very slow progress, and we shall continue, as the noble Lord wishes, to press the Russians to agree to reciprocal treatment. I can assure the noble Lord that we are still endeavouring to obtain reciprocity.