§ 20. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Information whether he is satisfied that the staff provided for broadcasting to Italy 1116 by the British Broadcasting Corporation is adequate for the task; and that sufficient time is allocated for the Italian broad casting service?
§ Mr. BrackenYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIn view of the evident importance of propaganda to Italy at the present time, will the Minister take this matter personally in hand, and assure himself that it is not being treated as the Cinderella of the services?
§ Mr. BrackenI can assure the hon. Member that it is not being treated as the Cinderella. It is perhaps the best of our broadcast services.
§ Mr. ManderIs the B.B.C. perfectly free to attack the existing regime in Italy?
§ Mr. BrackenCertainly, and it is done.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes the B.B.C. attack that regime by sending congratulations to the King of Italy?
§ Mr. BrackenI have answered that Question previously.
§ 21. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Information whether he can make a statement concerning the accommodation provided for the foreign services of the British Broadcasting Corporation; and whether he is satisfied with the office space, studios, rehearsal-rooms and telephone facilities provided for them?
§ Mr. BrackenSince the foreign service of the B.B.C. is still rapidly expanding, it is not easy to meet its demands upon accommodation. Considerable additional accommodation has been acquired since the matter was last raised in the House, and the necessary alterations and installations are nearing completion. Additional telephone facilities are also being installed.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the Minister do what he can to accelerate these improvements, and bear in mind that, while some sections have been improved, others are working in conditions of squalor and that the telephone facilities are a perfect scandal?
§ Mr. BrackenThe last observation is practically a reproduction of what I said to the officials responsible for telephone accommodation.
§ Miss Eleanor RathboneDoes this also apply to the German section, which is 1117 doing an excellent job of work under the most appalling and scandalous conditions of accommodation?
§ Mr. BrackenI am very glad for the tribute to the B.B.C., but I must look into the hon. Lady's question before giving an answer.
§ 24. Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Minister of Information whether there is at the Ministry any department dealing with Soviet Russia, similar to his American Department, and able to supply speakers and information for Anglo-Soviet friend ship meetings.
§ Mr. BrackenYes, Sir.
§ Mr. WedgwoodCan societies which want speakers apply to the Ministry?
§ Mr. BrackenYes, Sir.
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not the case that most of the information about Russia is given by anti-Soviet speakers, like Sir Paul Dukes?
§ Mr. BrackenAs a matter of fact, one of my hon. Friend's warmest admirers is acting as head of this division.
26. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the Minister of Information what steps he is taking in regard to Allied propaganda in Italy?
§ Mr. BrackenIt is not in the public interest to disclose what steps are being taken in this matter.
Dr. ThomasWould my right hon. Friend, when dealing with Italian propaganda, endeavour to revive and give a lead to the spirit of the Risorgimento and of Matteotti, which still smoulders in the hearts of the majority of the Italian people, despite 20 years of brutal suppression by Fascismo?
§ Mr. BrackenThe gentlemen in charge of our propaganda are not forgetful of these facts.
§ 28. Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Information whether he will make a statement on the character and extent of British broadcasting to Switzerland; and whether the dominant influence of British sea and air power in the process of the war is kept before the Swiss people?
§ Mr. BrackenThe normal foreign programmes of the B.B.C. are received by 1118 the Swiss people without difficulty. These broadcasts include full information about British activity on sea and in the air.
§ Sir P. HannonIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that everything reasonably possible has been done?
§ Mr. BrackenYes; the activities are growing from day to day, but I am satisfied that everything we can do is being done.
§ 29. Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Information whether the British Legation at Berne is supplied with, and puts into circulation, as early as possible, in formation on the progress of the war; and whether these statements are keeping pace with the activities of German propaganda in Switzerland?
§ Mr. BrackenEverything possible is done to keep people in Switzerland in formed about the progress of the war from our side.
§ Sir P. HannonIs there any difficulty in getting magazines and other publications into Switzerland, and in getting news there?
§ Mr. BrackenYes, it is very difficult, owing to our limited air transport; but, to make up for that difficulty, we are issuing a bi-weekly bulletin in Switzerland.