HC Deb 24 May 1944 vol 400 c747
61. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Minister of Information, who constitutes the all-party panel for advising the B.B.C. on political broadcasting.

Mr. Bracken

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the Talks Advisory Committee; on which the principal political parties in this House were represented. The B.B.C. have not found it necessary to call on this Committee's services during the war, partly because there have not been any talks on party lines. If and when they decide to resume such talks, I have no doubt that they will take advantage of the advice of the Committee, which included four hon. Members of this House.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the B.B.C. should provide a few minutes out of the 24 hours for those who take a minority view on public questions?

Mr. Bracken

If those who take a minority view are anxious to impede the war effort, the B.B.C. will give them no time whatever.

Mr. Granville

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the views of those who support the war effort, and who are outside the parties forming the Government, are adequately represented? Also, will he give the names of those who are on the panel?

Mr. Bracken

The hon. Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery), the hon. Member for Anglesey (Miss Lloyd George), the hon. Member for Oxford University (Mr. A. P. Herbert), and the hon. Member for North Southwark (Mr. Isaacs).

Mr. A. Edwards

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, had not minorities pressed their views on the Government during the war and immediately before the war, we should have been out of the war long ago, defeated?