The Public Relations Office (PRO) was renamed the Department of Information Services (DIS) in 1957.
The main function of the DIS was to emphasize the large, volume and intensity of work of the ministers so as to establish in the minds of the public the extent and significance of the democratic changes in the Constitution of Singapore. The DIS was thus responsible for carrying out the information policy of the government. In addition, the DIS handles personnel matters, correspondence with local and foreign organisations, records of visits by foreign dignitaries, government publicity materials, office budget, tourism, press and media matters.
The Department was within the Chief Secretary's Ministry. It provided all ministries with a team of specialist staff to advise them on policy and publicity.
A Research Section , added in 1958, produced booklets and pamphlets which were widely used in school as civic literature.
A Production Division was formed and it incorporated the Publicity and Distribution Sections and the Exhibition Section formerly under the PRO.
With full self-government in 1959, a new Ministry of Culture was created.
