HC Deb 14 February 1945 vol 408 cc212-3
35. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Information why the report of a Conservative Party sub-committee was given special publicity in the B.B.C. news bulletins on Tuesday, 16th January, including the address from which the report could be obtained; and if he will request the Governors of the B.B.C. to seek opportunities of advertising similarly the publications of the Labour, Liberal, Communist and Common Wealth Parties.

The Minister of Information (Mr. Brendan Bracken)

There was nothing extraordinary about the publicity given to this pamphlet. The B.B.C. find that during 1944 a number of pamphlets published by the Labour, Liberal and Common Wealth Parties received notice in this way.

Mr. Gallacher

Can the Minister tell us why the Communist Party is left out?

Mr. Bracken

I am afraid it is because my hon. Friend is not on comradely terms with the B.B.C.

Mr. Shinwell

Would the Minister define what is meant by "not on comradely terms"? Would he explain what that really means?

Mr. Driberg

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the case of these other parties, the publicity which was given was as thorough? Were the parties' addresses included, and the prices of pamphlets, and so on?

Mr. Bracken

I have not looked into the details of this matter, but I am quite certain that the B.B.C. holds the balance fairly between all parties.

Viscountess Astor

Is it not true that a great many people believe that the B.B.C. is far too biased to the Left?

Mr. Shinwell

Can I have an answer to my question?

Mr. Bracken

One of the great virtues of the B.B.C. is that extremists on both sides of the House dislike it so much.

Mr. McGovern

Is the Minister aware that the I.L.P. has been left out and that that evidently shows some bias against the I.L.P.?

Mr. Bracken

I must draw the attention of the Governors of the B.B.C. to the fact that they have overlooked that important Fourth Party.