HC Deb 21 October 1942 vol 383 cc1973-4
64. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange with the British Broadcasting Corporation for the necessary facilities being given and arrangements made whereby a broadcast could be made putting forward the case of the small shopkeepers, and their present-day difficulties, in view of the necessity that the public should be in formed on these matters?

Mr. Bracken

A review of the B.B.C.'s output on this matter shows that the case of the small shopkeeper has not been in any way neglected. Moreover, I have been in touch with them and they have assured me that it is their intention to devote further time in their programmes to this subject in the future. The manner and the occasion must, of course, be determined by the B.B.C., not by my hon. Friend or myself.

Mr. De la Bère

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in a recent broadcast by the Brains Trust there was nobody on the Brains Trust who had any sympathy with or understanding of the position of the small shopkeeper? Ought there not to be someone on the Brains Trust who can put forward the case for the small shopkeepers? They subscribe to the licences, and they are entitled to have their case broadcast. Can I have an answer?