59. Sir N. STEWART SANDEMANasked the Postmaster-General whether he has decided who the new chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation is to be?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Viant)No, Sir; an appointment has not yet been made.
Sir N. STEWART SANDEMANCan the hon. Member give an assurance that when the appointment comes to be made no political considerations will influence it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLCan the hon. Member say, or can the Prime Minister say, when we may expect some arrangement to be made which will allow other parties to use the broadcasting, besides the Labour party?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should have thought that before a question like that was put, of the substance of which I doubt the accuracy, the right hon. Gentleman might have given me notice, in order that I might have been able to reply. I hope the right hon. Gentleman knows that offers have been made to straighten out the whole matter. If it is not straightened out, it is not our fault.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf I put a question to the Prime Minister next week, will he give a full answer, and explain any deadlock which may have arisen in the negotiations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the right hon. Gentleman puts down a question, I shall be glad to give him all the information I have on the subject.