HC Deb 06 August 1940 vol 363 cc49-50W
Mr. Gledhill

asked the Minister of Information the exact functions of the regional officers in his Department; and in what respect these conflict with those of the Regional Commissioner?

Mr. Nicolson

The Regional Information Officers are charged with the function of helping to maintain the morale of the people in their localities and of securing local publicity for material supplied either by the Ministry or other Government Departments. In carrying cut these functions the regional information officers make it their business to maintain close contact with the local Press and to promote public meetings and exhibitions. These officers are also responsible for informing the Ministry of the state of public opinion in their regions. Their work is complementary to that of the Civil Defence Authorities, and is carried out in close co-operation with the Regional Commissioners.

Mr. Mender

asked the Minister of Information the names of the countries where British Press attaches are stationed?

Mr. Cooper

British Press Attachés are stationed in the following countries:

  • Argentina. Iraq.
  • Bolivia. Panama.
  • Brazil. Peru.
  • Bulgaria. Portugal.
  • Chile. Rumania.
  • China. Spain.
  • Colombia. Sweden.
  • Egypt. Switzerland.
  • Finland. Turkey.
  • Greece. Uruguay.
  • Guatemala. Venezuela.
  • Hungary. Yugoslavia.
  • Iran.

In addition there are Ministry of Information centres in Palestine, at Hongkong and Aden, and on the Persian Gulf; and there are Ministry of Information officers of minor grades working under the Diplomatic or Consular authorities in Cuba, the Dutch East Indies, Ecuador, Estonia, French Morocco, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Japan, Latvia, Nicaragua, Salvador, Syria, Tangier, Thailand and Tunis.