asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the conference of information officers from British embassies and legations in the Middle East, which was held in Beirut last week.

It is normal practice to hold such regional consultations from time to time.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend say whether any steps are being taken, as a result of that conference, to improve our propaganda in the Middle East, particularly in view of the anti-British campaign being waged by Radio Cairo and other wireless stations?

The answer is "Yes, Sir."

Mr. Dugdale:

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that in spite of all the attacks made on the Ministry of Information by his colleagues, these gentlemen are performing a very useful service?

I think they are performing a useful service, but I also think that it is capable of improvement.

Would not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that if Her Majesty's Government had an intelligible policy in the Middle East they would not need so much propaganda?

Naturally the hon. Gentleman will not expect me to agree with the premise upon which his question is based.