§ 45. Mr. Piratinasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the B.B.C. has been directed by the Labour Party, Conservative Party and Liberal Party to exclude other political parties from participating in a series of B.B.C. broadcasts now in process; and if he will take steps to ensure that minority parties are given the same democratic opportunities as is the party in power.
§ Mr. Arthur GreenwoodI have been asked to reply. The arrangements which the B.B.C. have made, in agreement with172W the main political parties, for the resumption of party political broadcasts of a controversial character provide that the broadcasts shall be allocated to the various parties, including the minority parties, in accordance with their polls at the last General Election. The 12 broadcasts proposed for this year have been assigned to the different parties represented in the House in accordance with this formula.