HC Deb 05 June 1940 vol 361 cc832-3
15. Sir A. Southby

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that the broadcast of the battle of Narvik was repeated by the British Broadcasting Corporation overseas service at about 2 a.m. on Thursday, 30th May; and how does he reconcile this action with the specific undertaking given by him on Wednesday, 29thMay?

The Minister of Information (Mr. Duff Cooper)

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, when I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the general assurance to which he refers I was not aware that the broadcast in question was about to be repeated within a few hours on the B.B.C. Empire programme. If I had known that this was to be done, I should certainly have brought the matter to the notice of the B.B.C.

Sir A. Southby

Will my right hon. Friend, in view of the fact that in answer to my Question last week he said that on no future occasion would a broadcast of this kind take place, take disciplinary action in the B.B.C. to prevent it happening again?

Mr. Cooper

I am not in a position to take disciplinary action, but I am working in the fullest co-operation with the B.B.C., and they are most anxious to work in with the Ministry of Information. I feel confident that with that co-operation we shall prevent a repetition of this kind of thing.

Mr. Mathers

Is not the B.B.C. in sufficiently close contact with what is taking place in this House to know that the Minister had made the statement that he did make and that, therefore, the broadcast should have been prevented?

Mr. Cooper

I think that there was a certain slip up in the organisation. The orders had been given previous to my statement in the House for the broadcast to take place, and, unfortunately, they were not cancelled.

Sir A. Southby

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that the B.B.C. apologised for making the broadcast and that within a few hours they repeated it on the Overseas transmission? Does he not think that some disciplinary action ought to be taken against the official responsible?

Mr. Cooper

I have made inquiries into the matter and I am sure the B.B.C. regret as much as I do that this repetition took place. The necessary steps will be taken to prevent a similar occurrence.

Sir A. Southby

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at an early date.