BRITISH PUBLICITY PLAN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21377, 21 June 1939, Page 7

BRITISH PUBLICITY PLAN

Functions of New Department Close Co-operation With Foreign Office British Official Wireless (Received June 20. 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 19. The recent announcement of the setting up of a foreign publicity department at the Foreign Office with Lord Perth at its head gave rise to a number of questions which were answered in the House of Commons. It was made clear that the purpose of the Vansittart Committee, appointed some 18 months ago. was to co-ordi-nate the work of foreign publicity undertaken by such bodies as the British Council, the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Travel Association, and to bring together such Government departments as were concerned in this work. The new department at the Foreign Office would henceforth be responsible for co-ordi-nating these activities and would have the expert advice and assistance of these and other outside organisations in making better known abroad significant sociological developments and industrial and cultural achievements in Britain.

Foreign Language Broadcasts

It was also stated that the existing relations between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Foreign Office regarding foreign language broadcasts would undergo no change. Although the responsibility for what is broadcast will continue to rest with the British Broadcasting Corporation, it will continue to maintain the closest contact with the Foreign Office and make full use of the information at the disposal of the foreign publicity department.

Members also -.bowed interest as to whether that Department's functions should include giving publicly to the principles of international justice, cooperation and peace to which Britain subscribed, and Mr R. A. Butler (Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs) replied with an assurance that none of the clauses for which Britain stood would be overlooked.