HC Deb 07 February 1940 vol 357 cc207-8
45. Sir F. Sanderson

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that considerable disappointment is felt among the general public that the majority of the working community have been unable to hear the broadcasts of recent speeches by Cabinet Ministers, because they have been made and broadcast only at or about the luncheon hour, so that persons absent from their homes all day have heard only an abridged précis of the speeches by the British Broadcasting Corporation; and, in view of the value which attaches to these speeches, he will consider having records of any future speeches by himself and other Cabinet Ministers broadcast during the evening of the day on which they are made?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

I am informed that the speeches to which my hon. Friend refers had very large audiences at the time of their delivery. It is not felt that a repetition in full of such speeches in the evening, following earlier reports on the air and in the Press, would be justified.

Sir F. Sanderson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, because of the undoubted importance that attaches to the speeches made by himself and other Cabinet Ministers, the public would rather hear their voices than the voice of the announcer of the B.B.C.?

Mr. Radford

Can my right hon. Friend give instructions that the broadcast of those speeches shall not be cut off so abruptly at the end, but that the applause of the audience shall be heard too?

Mr. Lunn

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman arrange for more speeches like that which we heard from the Leader of the Opposition?

Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte

Was not that a most disgraceful speech?