HC Deb 18 November 1942 vol 385 cc331-2
24. Commander Sir Archibald Southby

asked the Minister of Information the dates upon which were given the 11 broadcasts by the hon. and gallant Member for Epsom to which he referred in his reply on 21st October to a Question by the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall)?

Mr. Bracken

The B.B.C. inform me that their records show six talks given in the Home Service by the hon. and gallant Member for Epsom (Sir A. Southby) between January and August, 1941, and five in the Overseas Service. The latter were recorded repeats of home talks, and for the purpose of the list given on 21st October they were regarded as separate broadcasts.

Sir A. Southby

Does my right hon. Friend mean that the figures given in his answer on 21st October are not necessarily the number of times a Member has broadcast, but include repetitions of the broadcasts; that, for example, he might actually have broadcast only once and appear in the list as having broadcast 50 times?

Mr. Bracken

My hon. and gallant Friend is completely right. I think the B.B.C. mathematics are rather Einstein-like.

Sir H. Williams

Do I understand that the Minister still takes the view that the B.B.C. do not believe in repetition?

Sir A. Southby

Will the Minister now give a list of the number of times Members of this House have actually broadcast, not repetitions, but the number of times they have gone to the microphone?

Mr. Ivor Thomas

Can the Minister tell us how many times the broadcaster was paid?

Mr. Bracken

I do not know anything about the financial arrangements made between the B.B.C. and those who broadcast. I was asked about the number of recordings, not about the number of broadcasts, but if the hon. and gallant Member feels upset about this, I will certainly give him an answer.

Sir A. Southby

Has the right hon. Gentleman read the Question he was asked on 21st October? He was asked whether he would give the number of occasions upon which Members of the House of Commons had spoken on the broadcast during the war.

Mr. Bracken

I am willing to give the hon. and gallant Member the figures he desires. I felt myself that this enormous list was a great waste of time, but, if necessary, I will produce another one, and I hope it will be more accurate.