– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 November 1947.
Mr Vernon Bartlett
, Bridgwater
12:00,
24 November 1947
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent and by what methods it is proposed to reduce the activities of the European Service of the B.B.C.
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
No final decision has been made on these matters.
Mr Vernon Bartlett
, Bridgwater
While the matter is under consideration, would the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that the European Service of the B.B.C. built up a great reputation for itself during the war, and that it is the only way in which we can present the British point of view "to the European peoples without the expenditure of foreign currency?
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
Yes, Sir, I appreciate that, and we will do all we can to avoid the necessity for making these cuts.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
