§ Commander Keransasked the Secretary of State for Defence what Press facilities exist in the operational areas of Malaysia for giving publicity in the United Kingdom to the activities of all three Services; and whether he will give consideration to the production of short films to be made available for use on television.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIt must be borne in mind that British forces are assisting Malaysian forces in the defence of Malaysian territory and that operations cannot be regarded as a purely British responsibility.
Subject to this important consideration, the British Defence public relations organisation in Malaysia provides a normal news service about the British effort and also gives facilities and assistance for parties of visiting journalists and cameramen.
In recent months a number of correspondents from the United Kingdom have visited the theatre. These visits are continuing.
Every encouragement and help is given to television and film companies to send teams out to the theatre and film taken on the spot by Service photographers is made available both to the 143W B.B.C. and Independent Television News. I welcome the use made of these facilities and the Defence public relations organisation, both at headquarters and in the field, stand ready to give any further help that they can. In the circumstances I do not think that there is any need to consider the production of official films.