HC Deb 07 October 1941 vol 374 cc830-1
64. Mr. Horabin (for Mr. Mander)

asked the Minister of Information, on what occasions, and to what extent, his department controls or intervenes in the presentation of speeches made, in this House, as reported by the British Broadcasting Corporation?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information (Mr. Thurtle)

The B.B.C. broadcasts of Parliamentary proceedings are taken from the agency reports, and the inevitable and severe measure of compression involved is carried out by the news staff of the B.B.C, who receive advice and information from officers in close daily contact with my Ministry. The aim of these reports is to present a fair and objective summary.

Sir Percy Harris

Are we to understand that the Ministry of Information decide whose speeches should be cut down and whose should be reported, or is that left to the discretion of the B.B.C?

Mr. Thurtle

In practice the Ministry hardly ever interfere with these reports. Our one aim is to give a fair and objective summary, and we have every confidence in the responsible B.B.C. officials who are carrying out this work.

Sir P. Harris

What does my hon. Friend mean by "hardly ever"? Does he suggest that if the Ministry of Information dislike some particular Member, they can expurgate his speeches?

Mr. Thurtle

It is only in abnormal and exceptional circumstances that they interfere at all.

Earl Winterton

Is it not unprecedented for a Government Department to attempt to interfere with the dissemination of news concerning the proceedings of this House? Is there any precedent for it, and do they propose to introduce this novel principle?

Mr. Thurtle

I can only repeat that it is only in very exceptional and abnormal circumstances that there is any interference.

Mr. Shinwell

Can we have some cases of the exceptional circumstances? To whom do they refer, to Members on that side or to Members on this side? Can we have an answer, as it is an important question?

Mr. Thurtle

I suggest to my hon. Friend that if he has any specific report in mind which he considers was unfair, he might put down a Question.

Mr. Shinwell

Does not my hon. Friend realise that it does not lay with me to indicate a specific case? He has himself referred to exceptional circumstances. What are they?

Mr. McGovern

Could not the Members who speak in a Debate set up a committee to indicate what parts of their speeches should be reported?