65. Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what evidence he has on the effectiveness of the British Broadcasting Corporation's broadcasts in Arabic to Middle East countries since his undertaking to see what improvements could be made; whether he will place in the Library an English translation of the transcripts of 59W all the news bulletins relevant to the Middle East situation broadcast during the present emergency; and whether he will ensure that such information is provided until the cessation of hostilities.
§ Mr. William RodgersMy right hon. Friend's reference to improvements related to the hours of broadcasting. These were increased on 7th June from 10 to 17¼ hours a day.
I do not think I should be justified in asking the British Broadcasting Corporation to make copies for the Library of all the relevant External Services news bulletins, but the British Broadcasting Corporation will be glad to deal with any requests which are made through the normal channels for the transcripts of particular broadcasts.
Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what advice he has given to travel agents in respect of the Middle East; and with what effect.
§ Mr. William RodgersOn 23rd May the Foreign Office issued general advice that British subjects in the United Arab Republic, Israel and the West Bank of Jordan should leave unless they had essential occupations which obliged them to remain. This advice was subsequently extended to residents in the East Bank of Jordan and to Libya, Sudan, Saudi-Arabia and Kuwait. On 5th June a statement was issued advising British subjects that it was not in their interests to visit the Middle East and those North African countries where there had been anti-British manifestations (i.e. Libya, Tunisia and Algeria). In the case of Tunisia, further advice has been given that whilst it is still considered inadvisable for British tourists to visit that country, those already there may wish to remain and complete their holidays. This advice was intended specifically for travel agents.
Throughout the crisis the Foreign Office have been in touch with the Association of British Travel Agents and with individual firms throughout the country.
To the best of my knowledge the advice issued on 23rd May was heeded by tourists in the countries concerned and few of them chose to remain. The effect 60W of the advice of 5th June is still not clear, but I have no reason to doubt that it has been taken seriously.