HC Deb 21 February 1945 vol 408 cc782-3
30. Captain Plugge

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider appointing a Member of the House of Lords to the Board of Governors of the B.B.C., in addition to two Members of this House, so that both Houses of Parliament will have a representative on the B.B.C.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information (Mr. Thurtle)

Governors of the B.B.C. are appointed by His Majesty the King in Council, and it is the practice to select them according to their personal qualifications and not on account of their association with particular institutions.

Captain Plugge

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the lack of reference to important public Debates in another place, in the weekly feature of the B.B.C., "The Week in Westminster"; and will he take steps to see that those Debates are referred to?

Mr. Thurtle

I do not think that has anything to do with the Question on the Paper.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Does the Minister suggest by his reply that no Member of Parliament has the necessary qualifications to sit on the Board of Governors of the B.B.C.?

Mr. Thurtle

There are two Members of Parliament acting as Governors, but they are there by accident, and not by virtue of their Membership of this House.