HC Deb 18 November 1942 vol 385 cc330-1
21. Mr. William Brown

asked the Minister of Information who is responsible for the selection of the Sunday night post script broadcasts?

The Minister of Information (Mr. Brendan Bracken)

The B.B.C. select the broadcasts, but they consult the Ministry in advance regarding subjects and speakers.

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Is the Minister aware that an hon. Member of this House, at the request of the Corporation, prepared a script for one of those broadcasts, the said script being a careful paraphrase of the Sermon on the Mount, and that it was rejected on three grounds; firstly, that it was Fascist; secondly, that it was anti-working-class; thirdly, that it was anti-Christian?

Mr. Bracken

I am not aware of the case mentioned by my hon. Friend, but the B.B.C. is strongly opposed to repetition.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the Ministry consulted as to personnel broadcasting on Sunday night or any other night, and is the Ministry ever influenced by outside representations, for example, the views of the 1922 Committee?

Mr. Bracken

No, Sir, we are not in the slightest bit influenced. We treat this matter as a judicial one. We are subject to no pressure of any kind.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the Minister say why certain—

Mr. Speaker

rose—