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Division

Records of the Information Department and predecessor

Catalogue reference: Division within CO

What's it about?

Division within CO

Records of the Information Department and predecessor relating to publicity about the colonies in Britain and other countries. Correspondence of the department is in CO 875, and CO 1027 with registers in CO 978. Records of the Library are in CO...

Full description and record details

Reference

Division within CO

Title
Records of the Information Department and predecessor
Date

1940-1967

Description

Records of the Information Department and predecessor relating to publicity about the colonies in Britain and other countries.

Correspondence of the department is in CO 875, and CO 1027 with registers in CO 978.

Records of the Library are in CO 1059, and Library: Confidential Pamphlets are in CO 1073.

Legal status

Public Record(s)

Language

English

Creator(s)
  • Colonial Office, Information Department, 1945-1966
  • Colonial Office, Public Relations Department, 1942-1945
Physical description

5 series

Closure status

Open Document, Open Description

Administrative / biographical background

By the end of 1942 a Public Relations Department had been established in the Colonial Office. After the war its name was changed to Information Department. The department co-ordinated and directed publicity and propaganda about the colonies both in Britain and other countries through publications, broadcasting and films, and the supply of information to the press. It liaised with other bodies, including the British Council, the Central Office of Information and the Information Officers appointed by colonial governments. It also administered funds made available under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts for the development of broadcasting in the colonies.

Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C445/

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Records of the Information Department and predecessor