HC Deb 04 February 1942 vol 377 c1167
20. Captain Alan Graham

asked the Minister of information whether he is aware of the ineffectiveness of the British Broadcasting Corporation talks to Austria; of the despair created amongst 4,000,000 Austrian peasants by never hearing a broadcast with any reference to their religion or to their Austrian patriotism, or to the future independence of their country; and whether he will prevent the British Broadcasting Corporation from concentrating on out-of-date political issues solely interesting to the Viennese urban population in years ago?

Mr. Bracken

In broadcasts to Austria the British Broadcasting Corporation does not concentrate on the politics of the Viennese urban population. Regular talks of interest are broadcast, usually in peasant dialect. There are at least as many of these as there are talks directly addressed to the urban population. There are peasant, religious and other talks.

Captain Graham

Is it not the case that according to reports from Austria there is a progressive decline in the number of Austrians who are willing to risk their heads to listen to the B.B.C. talks?

Mr. Bracken

That is as may be. There is a large number of people in this country who would not risk their heads to listen to B.B.C. talks.