§ 33. Captain Ramsayasked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been drawn to the nightly talks at 10.30 on a short wavelength of 51 metres broadcast by a new station, whose signature tune is "Loch Lomond," to the effect that international Jewish finance and Continental freemasonry are pursuing a policy of world domination by wars and revolutions and credit monopoly; whether he proposes to reply to this propaganda; and whether he will confer with the British Broadcasting Corporation to demolish these arguments objectively instead of avoiding the issues by merely labelling them as German propaganda?
§ Sir J. ReithYes, Sir, I know of these broadcasts, and the station is being watched. Arguments of enemy propaganda are constantly being countered by the B.B.C. and otherwise.
§ Captain RamsayWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether, in view of the fact that most of the neutral countries in Europe and a large and ever-increasing number of people in this country consider this question to be important, and requiring examination, and in view of the admirable way in which the B.B.C. and the Ministry of Information are designed and equipped to deal with such a question, he would consider taking up the matter and not avoiding the issue?
§ Sir J. ReithI thought I had taken up the matter. I said that the specific arguments of enemy propaganda are constantly being countered by the B.B.C. and otherwise, but, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman is not satisfied with what has been done so far, I would like to assure him that we will try to do better.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairCan the right hon. Gentleman say from what country this station is broadcasting?
§ Sir J. ReithIt is almost certainly known to come from Germany—we think, about 100 miles from Berlin.
§ Mr. ThorneIs it not a fact that the more lies the Germans tell the better it is for everybody?