69. Captain BENNasked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to issue a third type of licence for users of wireless sets; and whether it is proposed to continue the prohibition of the import of wireless apparatus?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs explained in the statement I made on the 20th instant, I propose to refer the whole question to a Committee. The importation of wireless apparatus is not at present prohibited; but the provision that apparatus used under the broadcast receiving licence must be marked with the British Broadcasting Company's trade mark prevents the use of imported 278 apparatus for ordinary broadcast reception as distinct from experimental purposes. There is no similar provision in respect of apparatus used under the experimental licences.
§ 86. Captain BERKELEYasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the provisions of Standing Order 72 of this House, he will notify the British Broadcasting Company that their licence is not binding until approved by Resolution of this House, and will take steps to bring the licence before the House without delay with a view to a Resolution being taken upon it?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe licence granted to the British Broadcasting Company is not a contract for the purpose of telegraphic communication beyond sea, and does not, in my view, therefore fall within the scope of the Standing Order referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Captain BERKELEYIn view of the great public importance of the issues involved by this licence, will not the hon. Gentleman consider referring it for the opinion of the House to the House of Commons before it is dealt with by the Committee which he has promised to set up to consider the whole question?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think that it would be inadvisable to deal with this matter before the Committee which is being set up to-day has considered the points raised by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Captain BERKELEYIn view of the answer, I beg to give notice, Sir, that to-morrow, after Questions, I shall ask your ruling as to whether the contract with the British Broadcasting Company comes within Standing Order 72, which requires certain contracts for the purpose of telegraphic communication to be approved by Resolution of this House before they are binding.
§ Mr. SPEAKERPerhaps the hon. Member will in the meantime supply me with details in reference to his contention.
§ Mr. J. JONESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor has been elected a director of the Marconi Company, which is one of the principal companies connected with the British Broadcasting Company, and is that going to be allowed to continue?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
Mr. J. RAMSAY MacDONALD (by Private Notice)asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now state to the House the terms of reference which he proposes for the Committee on broadcasting licences; and further can he give the names of the Committee?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe terms of reference which I propose are as follow:
§ To consider:
- (a) Broadcasting in all its aspects.
- (b) The contracts and licences which have been or may be granted.
- (c) The action which should be taken upon the determination of the existing licence of the Broadcasting Company.
- (d) Uses to which broadcasting may be put.
- (e) The restrictions which may need to be placed upon its user or development.
§ The members of the Committee which I have nominated are
- Major-General Sir Frederick Sykes, M.P. (Chairman).
- Major The Hon. J. J. Astor, M.P.
- Mr. F. J. Brown, C.B., C.B.E., Assistant Secretary, General Post Office.
- Sir Henry Bunbury, K.C.B., Comptroller and Accountant - General, General Post Office.
- Viscount Burnham, C.H., Chairman, Newspaper Proprietors' Association.
- W. H. Eccles, Esq., F.R.S., President, Radio Society of Great Britain.
- The Right Hon. Sir Henry Norman, Bt., M.P.
- J. C. W. Reith, Esq., General Manager, British Broadcasting Company.
- Field-Marshal Sir William Robertson, Bt., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., D.S.O.
- Charles Trevelyan, Esq., M.P.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Sir H. Norman) been appointed in view of the evidence which he gave before a Select Committee of this House in regard to wireless?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI asked the right hon. Member to serve on this Com- 280 mittee because of his very great knowledge of the whole of this wireless question.
§ Sir D. NEWTONWho will represent the 250,000 listeners-in?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere are four Members of this House, all of whom, I take it, appear in a representative capacity for large constituencies. Field-Marshal Sir William Robertson is not connected with any organisation interested in broadcasting. In fact everybody on the Committee is more or less a representative of the listeners-in.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIn view of the fact that legal questions arise in relation to the determination of the contract, will the right hon. Gentleman put on the Committee somebody who is competent to deal with the legal issues? [HON. MEMBERS: "Pringle."]
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI considered that matter very carefully and came to the conclusion that, if a legal Member were put on the Committee, he would probably put a one-sided legal view of the matter. The Committee will be at full liberty to obtain the legal advice of the Law Officers of the Crown, and the Solicitor to the Post Office.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that it is the considered view of the Postmaster-General, as a solicitor, that a lay tribunal is the best body to pronounce an opinion on a legal question?
§ Mr. J. JONESMay I ask why the great majority of listeners-in, who are working people, have not proper representation upon this Committee? We are not lawyers, but learners
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot now debate the matter.