Oral Answers to Questions — Information Services, U.S.a.

– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 17 Chwefror 1954.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many information officers this country now maintains in North America: and whether he is satisfied that they have secured adequate publicity for the proper manner in which the United Kingdom has, during the past three years, paid its post-war debts to the United States of America and Canada, in particular, for the payment of $181 million on 31st December, 1953.

Photo of Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker , Banbury

I can, of course, answer only for our information services in the United States. There are in the United States 21 information officers of various ranks. I am satisfied that, in the circumstances, adequate publicity has been secured for our prompt repayments.

Mr. Orr-Ewing:

Is my hon. Friend aware that this sum of money means that every person in this country contributed last year three and a half dollars, and that this is more than each person in the United States contributed to the United Kingdom aid? If this fact were more widely appreciated, would it not help Anglo-American relations and mutual respect?

Photo of Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker , Banbury

I do not think there is any question of this country being ungrateful for the aid she has received from the United States since the war.

Photo of Mr Julian Snow Mr Julian Snow , Lichfield and Tamworth

Could some of these information officers seek publicity in the United States for the views expressed this afternoon by the hon. Member for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams) on the part played by the Americans in the Persian oil dispute?

Photo of Sir Charles Mott-Radclyffe Sir Charles Mott-Radclyffe , Windsor

Could my hon. Friend specifically draw attention to these repayments in the directives which from time to time are sent out by the Foreign Office to the British information services in the United States?

Photo of Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker Sir Douglas Dodds-Parker , Banbury

I think that adequate action has been taken. I do not think it is for us to boast when we pay our debts.