§ 42. Mr. Leachasked the Minister of Information if he is aware that out of 35 B.B.C. flashes on road accidents, in which the principal blame is placed on children, not one sought to impress on drivers the dangers of high-speed; and will he correct this.
§ The Minister of Information (Mr. Brendan Bracken)The purpose of these flashes is not to assess blame. They are designed, in conjunction with the Ministry of War Transport, to remind the public, and particularly those in charge of children, of the rules of road safety.
§ Mr. LeachWill the Minister be good enough to inform the people with this upper middle-class sentiment, who govern the B.B.C. on motor-car lines, that a large number of hon. Members of this House deeply resent the charges made against small children of being culpable in the matter of road accidents?
§ Mr. BrackenI think the B.B.C. will also resent the description of being run by the upper middle class, but I will certainly bring that point to the attention of the Governors.
§ 43. Mr. Ivor Thomasasked the Minister of Information whether he will cause to be made, or assist the Royal Society for the Prevention of Acidents to make, a 35 millimetre film designed to promote safety on the roads.
§ Mr. BrackenA 35 mm. road safety film is available for showing by mobile units. Several trailers have been shown at various times in cinemas throughout the country and others are under consideration.
§ Mr. Edgar GranvilleMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in view of the fact that the Minister of War Transport said recently that casualties on the roads exceeded war casualties by 200,000, he can say whether there is any effective cooperation between Government Departments to deal with this terrible war on the roads?
§ Mr. BrackenAs far as publicity is concerned, there is admirable co-ordination, but publicity cannot cure this grievous situation.
§ Mr. ThomasIs there any reason why this film should not be shown throughout the cinemas in the country, which, I understand, was the suggestion?
§ Mr. BrackenI cannot impose on cinemas in this country the obligation of showing Ministry films. I can ask for their co-operation, and I have got it in a very large number of matters. I can only call the attention of the people in control to the film.
§ Mr. GallacherWill not the Minister get the B.B.C. to make a statement that these accidents to children will continue until the Government take over the land?
§ Mr. BrackenIf I were to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member, I would really have to ask the Government to take over the B.B.C. and then I would be free from many woes.
§ Mr. John DugdaleWould it not be correct to say that the question might more properly be addressed to Mr. Rank, who has control of all these cinemas?
§ Mr. BrackenThat is altogether incorrect. Mr. Rank controls a proportion of the cinemas and the hon. Gentleman ought to make sure of his facts before he makes these assertions.