§ 11. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Minister of Information for what reason Mr. Carl Heath was invited to take part in the recent political conferences on Indian politics?
§ Mr. BrackenI do not think I should question the motives of the B.B.C. in asking Mr. Heath to take part in these discussions. In doing so, they were exercising their normal right to nominate speakers. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will forgive me for reminding him of the fact which I have so often stressed in this House that I will not interfere in affairs for which the B.B.C. under the Board of Governors are solely responsible.
§ Sir A. KnoxIf another representative was required for this conference, would it not have been better to appoint somebody to represent the 90,000,000 people in the Indian States or the 30,000,000 of the scheduled classes, or, failing that, an Englishman who has spent some years in India and has some knowledge of the Indian people, instead of a mere party politician?
§ Mr. BrackenIt might, as my hon. and gallant Friend says, have been a good thing to have made a different selection, but I must tell him that I am not going to dictate to the B.B.C. about their choice and selection of speakers.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs it not true that Mr. Heath knows no more about India than, say, the editor of "The Times "?
§ Mr. StephenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Heath is one of the most intelligent men who has ever been to India?