§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he is aware that opinion in the United States of America is not adequately informed, through the medium of the American Press, about the British war effort and purpose because of an absence of information from this country; whether he is aware of the volume of German propaganda circulated through the same medium; and what steps is he taking to correct this unsatisfactory state of affairs?
§ Sir E. GriggI am aware that the demand in the United States of America 1223W for information regarding our war effort and purpose is still to a considerable extent unsatisfied. It is not the policy of the Ministry of Information to engage in what are called propaganda activities in the United States of America; but every effort is being made to give American correspondents the fullest possible opportunity of studying and assessing our war activities.
For the presentation of the British case in the United States of America the Ministry rely principally upon straightforward information; and although my Noble Friend is no longer himself responsible for the supply of news from Government sources, it will be his constant endeavour to secure the largest possible measure of publicity in the United States of America for such news as may be released by the Departments concerned, and for other information concerning the British war effort.