HC Deb 17 May 1944 vol 400 cc175-7
58. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Minister of Information if he will make arrangements with the B.B.C. to enable the various political parties to explain on the wireless their post-war policies which are now being published, in order to enable the electorate to compare them with the proposals of the Government's four-year plan which has already been broadcast.

Mr. Bracken

No, Sir. I have no intention of putting any pressure on the B.B.C. to start discussion of post-war policies on party lines.

Mr. Granville

In view of the fact that the Government are making plans for a General Election and have issued their post-war policy, has not the time come when all parties should have an opportunity of stating their views on the radio? Is this the decision of the B.B.C., or the Home Department, or the War Cabinet?

Mr. Bracken

The Government are engaged at the moment in waging war and not in trying to win General Elections.

Mr. Stokes

What about the Prime Minister's speech?

Mr. Bracken

The hon. Member had better cease sneering, in order that his colleague may get an answer. I have not in any way interfered with the B.B.C.'s choice of speakers, but do not let the hon. Member run away with the notion that the speech made by the Prime Minister was a General Election speech.

Mr. Shinwell

The right hon. Gentleman says he does not put pressure on the B.B.C. in the selection of speakers on political topics. Who then selects those speakers, and on what basis are they selected? May we have a specific assurance that he never interferes at any time?

Mr. Bracken

Certainly. The "Week in Westminster" speakers are selected by the B.B.C. When Ministers wish to make speeches on policy, they ask the B.B.C. for an opportunity of doing so. I think the House will agree with that. I never ask the B.B.C. to put on any specific speaker.

Mr. Shinwell

If the B.B.C. are responsive to requests by Ministers who wish to speak on political topics, which may be controversial, may we ask whether if any Member makes a request to be allowed to broadcast on a political topic there will be a favourable response?

Mr. Bracken

There are 615 Members in the House and if they are all going on the B.B.C. the public will go on strike.

Mr. Stokes

In view of the fact that the Minister accuses me of sneering, may I ask if he is aware that I was merely stating a fact, whereas he was evading it?

Mr. Granville

Can we have an assurance that, if the B.B.C. invite any party to broadcast their post-war plans, he will not interefere with the decision?

Mr. Bracken

The B.B.C. have an advisory council on which all parties are represented and to which they will doubtless refer the matter.