§ Mr. Bodyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken since November, 1956, to enlist the aid of those Arab journalists, writers and broadcasters who believe in civil liberty and constitutional government to answer the propaganda put out by the wireless stations of Cairo and Damascus.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyIt is the aim of Her Majesty's Missions to maintain and, where possible, improve friendly relations with all Arabs who influence public opinion in their countries. They endeavour constantly to ensure that such persons are aware of Her Majesty's Government's policy and viewpoint and understand the reasons which lie behind them. A programme of visits to this country, which enables influential individuals to have free discussion and study of our institutions and policies here, is also designed to promote this understanding. In Her Majesty's Government's view these are in the long run the most effective ways of countering hostile propaganda.
75WFurthermore the advice and, in some cases, the services of a number of Arabs are available to Her Majesty's Government either through whole or part-time employment in Her Majesty's Missions.
§ Mr. Bodyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make available to hon. Members in the Library translations of the type of broadcast in Arabic that has been made under his guidance to the Middle East since the revolt in Iraq was known to him.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyMy right hon. and learned Friend has asked the British Broadcasting Corporation to make available a selection of scripts which are broadcast by the external services in conformity with the relationship established between responsible Departments and the external services of the British Broadcasting Corporation by the current Licence and Agreement between the Postmaster-General and the Corporation.