§ 67. Mr. T. Johnstonasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the British Broadcasting Corporation is or has been in negotiation with the British United Press for the use of its news service; and, in view of the fact that the British United Press Company is registered at Montreal, Canada, and that 99 per cent. of its shares are held by citizens of the United States, he is satisfied that in the national interest it is desirable that the selection and control of a considerable proportion of the international news supplied to the people of this country should be in the hands of persons who are not British subjects; and whether he will take whatever steps are appropriate to safeguard the public interest in this matter?
§ Major TryonI learn on inquiry that the British Broadcasting Corporation has under consideration the question of adding the service of the British United Press to the other four services from which the material for its news bulletins is derived. The Broadcasting Committee, 1935, expressed the view that freedom of choice as to the sources of news for the broadcast news service should be maintained. I understand that negotiations between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the British United Press are still proceeding, and I see no reason to call in question the discretion of the Governors of the Corporation.
§ Mr. JohnstonWill the Postmaster-General answer the last part of the question, which refers to the ownership of this concern which calls itself the British United Press Company?
§ Major TryonI am not in a position to confirm the statement which the right hon. Member makes in his question.
§ Mr. JohnstonIn view of the importance of this matter, does not the Postmaster-General deem it expedient to make 675 inquiries into it when his attention is directed to it by a question on the Order Paper?
§ Major TryonI have gone into the matter naturally since the right hon. Member put down his question, and I see no reason to doubt that the Governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation will have proper regard to the national interest.
§ Mr. MabaneWhen the Postmaster-General is making inquiries, will he ascertain whether the news supplied by this American agency is of a sufficiently reliable character to merit inclusion in the British Broadcasting Corporation's news service?
§ Mr. JohnstonCan the Postmaster-General confirm or deny the statement that 99 per cent. of the shares of this alleged British United Press Company are held by American citizens?
§ Major TryonI can neither confirm nor deny it, because I do not know. I am responsible for the Post Office and not for these arrangements.
§ Mr. JohnstonIf I supply the Postmaster-General with the necessary information, will he take steps with the British Broadcasting Corporation?
§ Major TryonIf the right hon. Gentleman has any information to confirm what he has said in his question I shall be very happy to receive it.