HC Deb 25 January 1957 vol 563 cc84-5W
Mr. Vane

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that equal prominence is given in the United States of America to the truth about Cyprus as is being given to the distorted story being circulated by the Cyprus Federation of America through advertisements in the Press and elsewhere.

Mr. Ian Harvey

A considerable amount of time and effort has been devoted over the last year by Her Majesty's Embassy in Washington and the British Information Services in the United States to explaining to American opinion the problem of Cyprus and Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the future of the island.

In particular:

  1. (a) Every opportunity has been taken by United Kingdom representatives to address American audiences, particularly by Mr. Peck, Head of the British Information Services in New York, who before going to the United States served in Cyprus and who revisited the island in September, 1956. Television, radio and Press interviews have also been used wherever practicable for the same purpose.
  2. (b) Every effort has been made by the British Information Services to ensure that editors, commentators, and leaders of American opinion in general are kept carefully informed on all aspects of the Cyprus problem.
  3. (c) A short film has been made on the subject specially for television and is now showing in the United States.