§ 74. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Information if his attention has been drawn to the criticisms of the U.S.S.R. contained in recent broadcasts by U.S. commentators on the B.B.C; and if he will invite the B.B.C. to afford similar facilities to U.S.S.R. commentators.
§ Mr. BurkeThe choice of speakers and subjects for B.B.C. broadcasts is a matter 1749 for the Corporation. The purpose of the weekly broadcast "American Commentary" is to give British listeners a regular analysis of the American political scene and of current opinion in the United States. No doubt the Corporation will take into account the desirability, so far as is practicable, of establishing similar commentaries from other countries.
§ Mr. DribergWould the Minister bear in mind that one of the points emphasised by hon. Members on both sides of the House in last week's foreign affairs Debate was that, rightly or wrongly, the Russians feel intense suspicion of the intentions of the Western democracies, and that, therefore, it is highly undesirable that there should be these extremely violent anti-Soviet broadcasts—which might be interpreted as an Anglo-American anti-Soviet line-up on the air—without facilities for reciprocal broadcasts by Soviet spokesmen?
§ Mr. BurkeI am sure that the B.B.C. would be very glad to make the same arrangements with Russia as they have been able to make with America. Indeed, they have been trying to do so for some time.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he heard the "Secret dreams" of Mr. Priestley?
§ Mr. PagetDoes not the Minister think that our relations with Russia are awkward enough without having them further aggravated by broadcasts of this sort of propaganda?