In the early 1970s British Information Services (BIS) in New York suggested to the Foreign Office that there might be a market with television stations in the United States for 30 minute documentary films directed by first class directors such as those employed by the BBC. 
 
Implied in the suggestion was that COI either did not or could not hire first class television directors. The view was not altogether disassociated from the aftermath of the decision in 1968 by BIS to discontinue the use of London Line(colour) series on the grounds that it did not meet the information objectives of BIS. Effectively this meant that the series was “soft” rather than “hard information”. In coming forward with the suggestion for longer (30 minute) documentaries made by first class directors BIS hoped to obtain documentary films on subjects that would meet their desire for authoritative “hard information”.
 
At present there is no evidence save that of memory giving the detail of the outcome of the BIS suggestion. Memory has it that Film Division accepted the desire for such films was entirely reasonable. However it advised the Foreign Office that while the FO/COI could  decide the subject to be chosen, directors of the calibre envisaged would require total creative freedom to make films about the subjects as they saw them. The normal Film Division relationship with director/writers was that Film Division exercised some control over 
what was made. This control was in the hands of the Film Division Producer who was answerable to COI management and the Foreign Office. Depending on the individual many directors might not be willing to work without total creative freedom.
 
In the event four 30 minute television programs were produced with Adam Leys as the Film Division producer. He was an very experienced producer with the intellect and sensitivity to manage the issues set out above. As with many areas of COI Films records are incomplete.
 
The programs were:
 
Between the Anvil and the Hammer was a film about policing in Liverpool. The subject of policing and relations between police and the public was a very live issue in the United States at the time. BIS hoped that film would show the UK in a good light.
So the film is about the delicate balance which the police in Britain must maintain between the demands of the law and those of society as reflected in some of the day-to-day working of the Liverpool Police Force. It was directed (and possibly written) by Richard Marquand and made in-house with photography by Ernest Vincze and edited by Hugh Newsam. (NFA ID 127085)
 
Computer Aided Design (not exact title) was a film about the use of computers for design purposes. No more information is presently available. It was directed (and possibly written) by Roy Battersby  who was a very experienced director with a BBC track record.
Anecdotal evidence from Adam Leys was that the film was very well made however Film Division and Battersby parted company because he presented the film several minutes over the specified length for use on US television for a 30 minute slot. Film Division had to make the necessary cut and Battersby asked for his name to be removed from the film.
 
Primary School Education in Britain (not exact title) was to be a portrait of primary school education in Britain. It was directed by John Mackenzie a talented director who had been an assistant to Ken Loach.
 
British Way of Health that was an overview of British health care and the NHS. The program looked at the work of three doctors. A GP working in a small practice in a deprived area of central London, a family doctor working in a Medical Centre in Winchester and a Consultant Plastic Surgeon who undertook both NHS and private work specialising in the treatment of burns. This program was made in house also directed and written by Richard Marquand, photographed by Ernest Vincze and edited by Richard Key. (NFA ID 753086)
 
At present there is no information about the success or otherwise of the programs in terms of distribution in the USA. It is likely that the programs were offered to television stations elsewhere in the world by the Film Division Marketing Operation.