Mr. CooperOwing to the appointment of a Controller of Overseas Publicity, Lord Perth himself considered that the post he held was no longer necessary and therefore tendered his resignation which I felt bound to accept while thanking him for the loyal and valuable services he had rendered.
§ Mr. Lyonsasked the Minister of Information the position to which Sir Maurice Peterson has been appointed and the salary to be paid?
Mr. CooperSir Maurice Peterson has been appointed Controller of Overseas Publicity. The normal salary of this post is £1,700, but Sir Maurice is not at present being paid anything from Ministry of Information funds, as he is entitled to £2,500 a year from the Vote for Diplomatic Services until 31st December.
§ Mr. Lyonsasked the Minister of Information the number of persons, other than clerical and messenger staff, now employed in or by his Department in London and the country, respectively, and the amount of yearly salaries aggregated on the present basis of engagement; how many of these persons are engaged at salaries of £500 per annum and over; how many at salaries of £1,000 per annum and over; and how many of all those now employed were selected from the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour prior to their appointments?
Mr. CooperThe number of persons, excluding those in minor administrative and technical, clerical, typing and messenger grades, now employed in the Ministry of Information is 373 in London and 50 elsewhere in the country, the salaries aggregating £264,000 per annum. Forty-nine receive salaries of £1,000 per annum or over and 236 others £500 per annum or over. Of all those now employed in the Ministry 158 were engaged through the Central Register.
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§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Information who is the present head of the Press Department of the Ministry and to what extent are the London and Provincial daily papers able to have direct contact with the various Government Departments; what were the regulations governing these matters towards the end of the last war under the Press Bureau Division of the War Office; and whether he has requested the representatives of the London and Provincial Press to state how far they are satisfied with existing arrangements?
Mr. CooperUnder the present organisation, Mr. Lints Smith is Chief Press and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Peake is Chief Press Adviser, and Mr. Radcliffe is Chief Press Censor. These officers are all responsible to Sir Walter Monckton as Deputy Director-General. The newspapers, London and Provincial, have direct contact with the various Government Departments in Whitehall and also with the representatives of the Departments at the Ministry of Information. These matters during the last war were dealt with by the Press Bureau representing all Departments, but, as now, the newspapers had also direct contact with the Government Departments. The Newspaper and Periodical Emergency Council represents all publications and acts in an advisory capacity to me. The London and Provincial newspapers are thus able, if they have any cause for dissatisfaction, to bring the matter before me at any time.