§ 69. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Postmaster-General whether the normal custom of having proposed items of the broadcast programme submitted to the British Broadcasting Corporation authorities for approval is followed in the case of speeches being broadcast to the United States of America or other foreign countries?
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Sir Walter Womersley)The control normally exercised by the British Broadcasting Corporation over speeches which are broadcast from any of their stations does not apply in the case of a speech which is not broadcast from a station in this country but is sent by the public telephone service to the United States or other foreign country to be broadcast there. In such a case the responsibility naturally rests with the foreign broadcasting organisation concerned, which makes direct arrangements with the speaker and conducts the actual broadcast from its own stations.
§ Sir T. MooreIn view of the widespread resentment that has been felt in this country at some of the irresponsible speeches that have been broadcast lately to the United States of America and elsewhere, will my hon. Friend convey to the B.B.C. the necessity for overhauling their plans in this connection?
§ Sir W. WomersleyGod forbid that I should be responsible for any speeches by hon. Members that are broadcast to America.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that some of the speeches have won wide approval in this country?
Mr. DavidsonIs it not the general desire that the B.B.C. should be left completely clear of any Government bias?