Page 97 of tours from the Middle East should be considered (at present six or seven parties of four each are possible): but previous experience indicates that—
(i) no dividend is likely to be got from bringing here large numbers of Arab
journalists;
(ii) the general and industrial "sight-seeing" tour of the type which the present machinery of the Central Office of Information is geared to run is of little interest to Middle-Easterners.
To be worth while the guests invited should be senior officials and perhaps politicians, and the programme for them here should include interviews with and hospitality offered by senior British officials: and the guests will often expect to be received by Ministers and other leading political figures. The extent to which the number of tours should be increased therefore depends not so much on money as on the time which those concerned here will be able to give to them. If the guests are of high calibre and are treated here as V.I.P.s the tour is very valuable: otherwise it may be money wasted. (See also paragraph 8 (ii): close liaison with the British Council and the Board of Trade will be necessary.)
(b) Sponsorship of lecture tours of the Middle East by prominent British personalities or experts should be considered: but language may limit the choice. 10. "ARAB LISTENER "
The revival of the "Arab Listener," formerly published by the British Broadcasting Corporation should be considered. The cost would be about £10,000.
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