§ 26. Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to ensure that broadcasts on foreign affairs are not out of keeping with His Majesty's Government's policy for the promotion of peace?
§ Sir K. WOODThe adoption of this suggestion would be out of harmony with the Resolution concerning the broadcasting service which was approved by a large majority of this House on 22nd of February, 1933.
§ 28. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to two recent speeches broadcast by Mr. Vernon Bartlett on the subject of German affairs; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Sir K. WOODI have not received any communications with reference to the two speeches in question, and so far as I am aware no complaints have been made to the Post Office in the matter.
§ Brigadier-General SPEARSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that last Saturday week a deserter from the Foreign Legion broadcast, and does he 1578 think that is calculated to make for good understanding?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is a question with regard to Mr. Vernon Bartlett.
§ Mr. HANNONOn a point of Order. Is there any means by which in this House we can ask a reasonable question with regard to the operations of the British Broadcasting Corporation? So many questions arise from time to time in which this House is interested, and we are debarred from asking questions on these points because of the peculiar constitution of the corporation.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question on the Paper has been answered by the Postmaster-General, but the hon. and gallant Member who asked the supplementary question referred to something that was not mentioned in the question.
§ Mr. HANNONWould you be so kind, Mr. Speaker, as to indicate to the House on what occasions and in what circumstances they could raise questions respecting the operations of the British Broadcasting Corporation?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must exercise his ingenuity.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWill my right hon. Friend look into these two questions with a view to taking some action?
§ Sir K. WOODNo. These two speeches have already been made, and it is therefore somewhat difficult for me now to take action. I may say that I recognise that Mr. Vernon Bartlett has a difficult task, but his contract with the British Broadcasting Corporation will shortly be concluded.
§ Mr. THORNEWhen people are broadcasting, do they have to submit their manuscript to the management of the corporation?
§ Sir K. WOODYes. I believe that that is the practice.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONIn what my right hon. Friend has said, does he imply any censure on Mr. Vernon Bartlett?
§ Sir K. WOODNo.
§ Mr. NICHOLSONIt seemed to me that he did.
§ Sir K. WOODNo. I expressly said that Mr. Bartlett's task is a difficult one, but, inasmuch as Mr. Bartlett, I understand, has taken up another position, I think it is for that reason that the contract has been concluded.
§ Mr. MAXTONWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) to have an evening on the wireless to enable him to express his opinion of Mr. Vernon Bartlett?
§ Sir K. WOODI must have regard to the law of slander and libel.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYOn a point of Order. I think I am entitled to ask the Postmaster-General to withdraw his remark. I never intended to slander either Mr. Bartlett or anybody else.
§ Miss RATHBONEWill Mr. Vernon Bartlett's place be taken by someone who can give information to the public on foreign affairs, because there is no doubt that his talks have been greatly appreciated?