§ 36. Mr. MAITLANDasked the Postmaster-General the reasons why a Supplemental Charter was granted to the British Broadcasting Corporation in August last?
§ Sir K. WOODThe amendment to the Charter was made to remove any doubt concerning the meaning of Clause 15. The Corporation took the view that under the original Charter it was compelled to invest its depreciation reserve in trustee securities while simultaneously borrowing for the purpose of capital development. The object of the Supplemental Charter was to make it clear that the Corporation could use these reserves both in place of new borrowing and also to repay existing loans.
§ Mr. MAITLANDI am much obliged by the reply. In view of the public interest taken in this matter, may I ask whether he will reconsider publishing the terms of the Supplemental Charter?
§ Sir K. WOODIn answer to the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. H. Morris) I have given full particulars of the operative clause as far as this matter is concerned.
Mr. HOPKIN MORRISWill the right hon. Gentleman say why this Supplemental Charter was given without publication in the usual way in the "Gazette" of the application for the Charter?
§ Sir K. WOODI think the reason for that was that as this was simply a Supplemental Charter to remove doubts, it was considered, in the circumstances, unnecessary.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the Postmaster-General lay the Supplemental Charter in the Library so that we may see it?
§ Sir K. WOODWith pleasure; and I will send the hon. Member a copy of it as well.
Mr. MORRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Postmaster-General in the original Charter gave an assurance that before the Charter could come into operation papers would be laid on the Table of the House? Why were not the provisions of the Companies Act complied with in this case and the House given an opportunity of discussing the matter?
§ Sir K. WOODI should like to have notice of the question before giving a fuller reply. As far as I am aware all the formalities were complied with, and the hon. Member knows that there is no obligation upon any Department to lay a copy of the Charter on the Table of the House, but inasmuch as the original Charter was laid this further document would have been laid but for the fact that it was simply a matter of removing doubts as to the interpretation of the original Clause.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a tremendous amount of discontent in Scotland about this broadcasting?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, there is always a lot of discontent in Scotland.
Mr. MORRISI beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise the matter of the Charters of the British Broadcasting Corporation on the Adjournment.