HC Deb 28 April 1948 vol 450 cc57-8W
Mr. Nally

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish a ċomplete list and approximate circulations of the newspapers, periodicals and magazines published in this country for the purpose of increasing Anglo-Soviet friendship and giving Soviet views, news and opinions; and if he will give a list of the comparative publications fulfilling the same functions for this country in the Soviet Union and the circulations of such publications.

Mr. Mayhew

The following English-language newspapers and periodicals are published by the Soviet Embassy in the United Kingdom with the object of familiarising the British public with Soviet news, policy and opinions:

Title and Circulation.

  • "Soviet Weekly."—47,000 copies
  • "Soviet Daily."—7,200 copies.
  • "Soviet Monitor." — Appearing in approximately 183 issues per month in 330 copies.
  • "Soviet News Bulletin."—170 copies daily.

The Soviet Embassy has also from time to time published pamphlets. In 1947, 17 such pamphlets were printed, with an average circulation of 5,000 copies each. During 1948 two pamphlets have been printed to date: namely, "Molotov on the results of the London Conference" (5,000 copies) and "Falsifiers of History" (11,000 copies).

The Society for Cultural Relations between the Peoples of the British Commonwealth of Nations and the U.S.S.R. also publishes a quarterly: "The Anglo-Soviet Journal," and the British-Soviet Society publishes a monthly: "Russia Today." I have no information regarding the circulation of these two periodicals. The only comparable British publications in the U.S.S.R., both of which are brought out by His Majesty's Embassy, are: "British Ally," 50,000 copies per week; "British Chronical," published every two months in 2,000 copies.