HC Deb 31 July 1940 vol 363 cc1213-4
11. Mr. Vernon Bartlett

asked the Minister of Information how many experts on the French situation are now employed on the preparation of British Broadcasting Corporation programmes in French; and how many hours a day programmes are broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation in that language?

The Minister of Information (Mr. Duff Cooper)

The British Broadcasting Corporation employs a specialist staff of 12 concerned with the announcing and translation of news bulletins and programme material in French. Of the total number 10 are born Frenchmen. There are at present six 15-minute news bulletins, one half-hour programme and three quarter-hour programmes, making a daily total of 2¾ hours of exclusively French broadcasts. Of this time General de Gaulle and his organisation, with the approval of my Ministry, contribute a five-minute period each day under the title, "La France Libre." In addition to the purely French broadcasts, three hours of programmes are presented every day in both English and French.

Mr. Bartlett

While thanking the Minister for his reply, might I ask him whether it is not the fact that for considerable periods of the 24 hours there is no special expert on French affairs on duty, and, in view of the very vital importance at the present time of doing everything we can to persuade the French that our cause is just, will he look into that matter further?

Mr. Cooper

I fully appreciate the importance of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion, and I will consider it.

Mr. Thorne

Have there been any broadcasts about love, unity and fidelity?