HC Deb 01 December 1938 vol 342 cc588-9
60. Mr. Wakefield

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the National Fitness Council has now arranged with the British Broadcasting Corporation physical fitness broadcasts in the early morning?

Mr. Lindsay

My Noble Friend regrets that it has not been found possible to arrange for such broadcasts.

Mr. Wakefield

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that certain foreign commercial broadcasting stations have for a considerable time been giving early morning physical broadcasts without expense to the taxpayer, and does he not think that the British Broadcasting Corporation might do the same in view of the receipt of millions of money from the British taxpayer?

Mr. Lindsay

All I can say is that the negotiations broke down on the question of finance. The extra cost of providing such a service on a permanent basis would have entailed a substantial liability, and the British Broadcasting Corporation were unable to agree with the view that this liability should be met from their resources without fresh assistance from public funds. Although the extent of the demand is conjectural, I, personally, regret the decision.

Mr. Pilkington

In view of the Government's national fitness campaign, would it not be possible for the Government to implement the financial cost?

Mr. J. Griffiths

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that industrial workers get up much earlier than the B.B.C.?

Mr. Noel-Baker

In view of the great success of the foreign experiment, will the Minister take the matter up again with the B.B.C. and press them that at least an experiment should be made?

Mr. Lindsay

In view of the expression of the feeling by hon. Members I will look into the matter again.