20. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the widespread changes brought about as a result of the war, he will consider the introduction of legislation to amend the Charter granted to the British Broadcasting Corporation so as to extend the field and permit of a wider range of Parliamentary Questions regarding their programmes and personnel, which are at the present time denied to Members of Parliament by reason of the regulations contained in the existing Charter.
Mr. De la BèreIs my right hon. Friend fully aware that the conditions existing in this country to-day are totally different from those existing when the charter of the B.B.C. was granted; and does he not realise that it is important that Members of Parliament should be allowed to inquire into these matters and to know whether there is anything which ought to be corrected? Why should the B.B.C. be put above the law of the land, when it is essential that they should be under proper Parliamentary supervision?
§ Mr. BrackenThe House will remember that unanimous approval was given to the Government's decision to set up the Board of Governors of the B.B.C. I think that, having come to that decision, the House must, of necessity, leave the Governors to manage their own affairs.
Mr. De la BèreBut is it not desirable that the House should have an opportunity of seeing whether, in the altered conditions of to-day, some modification should be made in the charter? I shall have to raise this matter at the earliest possible opportunity.