VISCOUNT ELI BANKasked His Majesty's Government whether, in view of the new arrangements, under which all Ministers will ensure that their Public Relations Officers collaborate fully and effectively with one another and with the Ministry of Information in the organisation and conduct of propaganda relating to the prosecution of the war and that these officers will function not independently, but as members of a team under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Information and the importance therefore of ensuring to the satisfaction of the Minister of Information that each member of this team is fully competent from his journalistic training and publicity experience to carry out his duties effectively, His Majesty's Government will arrange with the Minister of Information to consult with the Ministers of Departments concerned with the object of satisfying himself on this point and where dissatisfied having such changes made in personnel as may seem necessary to the Minister of Information?
§ LORD SNELLHis Majesty's Government share to the full the noble Viscount's desire that effective collaboration should exist between the Ministry of Information and the Public Relations Officers of other Government Departments. A standing 969WA Conference with these officers has been set up by the Minister of Information, under his personal supervision which will, he believes, secure the objects which the noble Viscount has in mind. The responsibility for the selection and appointment of these officers, however, must continue to rest in each case with the Ministerial head of the Department concerned. Ministers would of course bear the need for full and effective cooperation in mind in making such appointments.