FOREIGN PUBLICITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 145, 22 June 1939, Page 7

FOREIGN PUBLICITY

NEW BRITISH DEPARTMENT PURPOSES EXPLAINED IN HOUSE OF COMMON (British Official V» in < . • RUGBY, June 2 f ». 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 questions which were answered in th? House of Commons. Members showed interest that the department’s functions should include giving publicity to the principles of international justice, co-operation, and peace, to which Britain subscribed and the Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, replied with assurance that none of the causes for which Britain stood would be overlooked. It was made clear that the purpose of the Vansittart Committee, appointed some IS months ago, was to co-ordinate 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. Co-ordinating Activities The new department at the Foreign Office would henceforth be responsible for co-ordinating these activities and would have the expert advice and assistance of these and other organisations in making better known abroad significant sociological development* in Britain. It was also stated that the existing relations between the 8.8. C. and the Foreign Office regarding foreign language broadcasts would undergo no change. Although the responsibility for these broadcasts will continue to rest with the 8.8. C., it will continue to maintain the closest contact with the Foreign Office and will make full use of the information at the disposal of the Foreign Publicity Department.