§ 72. Mr. Vernon Bartlettasked the Minister of Information what is the estimated total cost of production of the B.B.C. Monitoring Report; whether it is now proposed to confine the distribution of this Report to Government Departments; and what is the estimated extra annual cost of supplying a copy to any individual whose work makes it desirable that he should be quickly and accurately informed of what is being broadcast in other countries.
§ Mr. E. J. WilliamsProduction of the B.B.C. Monitoring Report is an integral part of the B.B.C. Monitoring Service and no separate estimate of cost is available. Distribution of the Report is not confined to Government Departments and limited supplies are available for Press and private recipients. Though the extra cost of running off individual copies is comparatively small, it is considered fair that outside recipients should be charged a fee which is a contribution towards the cost of production. In cases where the Digest is required wholly or mainly for work on behalf of the B.B.C. or a Government Department the fee will be waived.
§ Mr. BartlettIs my right hon. Friend aware that his Department is now demanding from these outside people the sum of £25 a year, which is a perfectly absurd price to demand for a five or six page document, and will he look into the matter again?
§ Mr. WilliamsI realise, of course, that they are doing that, but I think my hon. Friend will appreciate that this is really a modification, and, if this is to be used mainly or wholly by the B.B.C, it can be obtained free. The Press has always paid for this service, and I see no necessity for persons who have no common use for it to have it free.
§ Mr. BartlettDoes not the Minister agree that the people who have much more use for it than people sitting in Government Departments should have access to it?
§ Mr. WilliamsI would be prepared toconsider the matter again.