HC Deb 18 December 1945 vol 417 cc1114-5
71. Mr. Hobson

asked the Minister of Information whether the B.B.C. is still obliged to broadcast everything any Government Department wishes to be made public.

Mr. E. J. Williams

Under the terms of the B.B.C.'s licence: The Corporation shall whenever so requested by any Department of His Majesty's Government at the Corporation's own expense send from all or any of the broadcasting stations any announcement or other matter which such Department may require to be broadcast; provided that the Corporation when sending such matter may at its discretion announce that it is sent at the request of a named Department.

Mr. Gammans

Does that answer mean that any Minister who wants to broadcast can automatically do so and that the B.B.C. have no power to refuse?

Mr. Williams

No, Sir, it does not mean that.