§ 69. Mr. Robensasked the Minister of Information whether, as an alternative to increasing the cost of a wireless licence, he has considered the allocation of a wavelength for sponsored programmes.
§ The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)In my right hon. Friend's absence abroad, I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend. is not prepared to depart from the policy of not permitting the broadcasting of advertisement or sponsored programmes.
§ Mr. RobensIs the Minister aware that prior to the war a very large proportion of British listeners on Sundays tuned in to European stations who were broadcasting sponsored programmes?
§ Mr. MorrisonI dare say that was so, but nevertheless we think it would be a bad thing to introduce into our conditions.
§ Mr. Hector HughesWill the Minister consider what ways and means can be devised of reducing the cost of wireless licences to old age pensioners?