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Mr. Harold Macmillan
With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a brief personal statement. My attention has been called to an interruption which I made on 23rd May, when the Central Office of Information was the subject of Debate. I should like, for the purposes of the record, to correct what I said.
While the sale of book translation rights, where they exist, can in general be carried out without outside assistance, I readily admit that, where certain countries are concerned, the help of some official agency is required. I have now ascertained that the publishers were duly informed when, some four years ago, it was decided to entrust this function to the copyright section of B.B.E., from which, within the limited scope available, publishers, including my own firm, have received valuable assistance. I have always received such courtesy from civil servants over so many years that I should not like to leave uncorrected anything which is inaccurate or might seem unjust or ungracious. I hope that they, and the House, will accept my apology. I am grateful to the Lord President for bringing this matter to my notice, and to you, Sir, for allowing me to make this explanation.
Mr. H. Morrison
May I be allowed, Mr. Speaker, to say, not only for myself but for the Central Office of Information, that we are very much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for the statement which he has been good enough to make?