§ 71. Mr. Moelwyn Hughesasked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that more than half the talks in 1149 English, broadcast on Home and Forces Programmes during the 12 months beginning 1st October, 1943, by lion. Members were broadcast by members of the Conservative Party; and whether he proposes to take steps to correct this discrimination?
§ Mr. ThurtleNo, Sir. I explained the B.B.C.'s policy in this matter in the answer I gave on 4th November to a Question put to me by the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall). My hon. and learned Friend will appreciate that the B.B.C. invites Members of Parliament to talk or participate in programmes for many purposes that have no political significance.
§ Mr. HughesIs my hon. Friend not aware that the figures lave been computed from the returns provided in the OFFICIAL REPORT by his Department? Therefore, why do I get the answer, "No," to the first part of my Question?
§ Mr. ThurtleI think my hon. and learned Friend does not appreciate the fact that in these talks were included all sorts of matters which have no relation to politics at all. For instance, however ingenious Members of Parliament might be, it would be difficult for them to get any party political content at all into subjects like these: "Tunes to my Taste," "Our Remote Ancestors," "The Chairing of the Bard" and "Desert Island Discs."
§ Mr. HughesBut cannot such matters as my hon. Friend has referred to be found on both sides and not be entirely limited? Including that, is it still not true to say that the majority of talks given by Members of this House are given by members of the Conservative Party?
§ Mr. ThurtleMy hon. and learned Friend must face this fact: for good or ill nearly two-thirds of the Members of this House are members of the Conservative Party.