§ 45. Mr. DAVID GRENFELL (for Mr. MORGAN JONES)asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the propriety of the Postmaster-General continuing to hold that office, which entails his responsibility for the control of British broadcasting, in view of his recent appointment to a party post as organiser of propaganda?
§ Mr. BALDWINResponsibility for broadcast programmes rests entirely with the British Broadcasting Corporation. The Postmaster-General, as has been frequently stated in this House, takes no part in the compilation of these programmes, and exercises no censorship over them in any way. I can see, therefore, no reason why the holder of the office of Postmaster-General should alone be debarred from party activities, and such a condition has never been made in connection with the office. The hon. Gentleman may rest assured that my right hon. Friend, as always, will in any political or other work he may undertake have due regard to the duties and responsibilities of his office.
§ Mr. GRENFELLI do not desire to challenge the ability of the right hon. Gentleman, but is it not a temptation to officials who are responsible for broadcasting to consider the susceptibilities of the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe greater the temptation, the greater the opportunity to resist it.
§ Mr. MAXTONWould it be prying into Cabinet secrets to ask if that answer was prepared by the Postmaster-General?
§ Mr. BALDWINIt is "A poor thing, but mine own."