§ 30. Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Information what arrangements are being made for relaying Ministerial broadcasts for the Empire, as well as to North America?
Mr. CooperMinisterial broadcasts are often transmitted to the Empire simultaneously with the broadcast in the Home Service, and are also recorded for subsequent reproduction at times convenient for listening in other parts of the Empire. Empire broadcasting organisations make extensive use of their right to re-broadcast news or speeches which they receive from the B.B.C. transmissions. I may add that many broadcasts by Ministers have been arranged specially for the Overseas Service of the B.B.C.
§ 32. Mr. Granvilleasked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that there is a growing feeling among listeners that the continual use of the same Ministers for broadcast talks is likely to reduce their effectiveness; and will he consider inviting ex-Ministers and others to make broadcast speeches in support of the war effort for the sake of variety and to emphasise the scope of national unity?
Mr. CooperI am not aware of the feeling to which my hon. Friend refers, nor can I agree that broadcasting by Ministers has been confined to a small circle. In the last two months, there have been 50 of such broadcasts in all, given by as many as 19 Ministers and nine Parliamentary Secretaries. One ex-Cabinet Minister and several private Members have broadcast during the same period, and I shall be glad to consider the further extension of invitations.
§ Mr. GranvilleDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that variety is the spice of democracy, and cannot we have more variety and less Macaulay?
§ Mr. LiddallWill the Minister see to it that when some of his colleagues are broadcasting they use less "I" and "My"?