HC Deb 10 July 1946 vol 425 cc385-7
44. Mr. Wilson Harris

asked the Lord President of the Council what are the grounds for the Government's announced policy of preventing British listeners from hearing commercial radio programmes from abroad; and how it is proposed to effect this.

Mr. H. Morrison

This is a free country, and anyone can listen to what he likes, but the Government consider that on general grounds it is undesirable that wavelengths in foreign hands should be used for advertising campaigns directed at the British public. As regards the latter part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply, which I gave to the hon. Member for Merioneth (Mr. Emrys Roberts) on 25th June.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Why should the Government decide what is desirable or undesirable in a matter like this, in this free country?

Mr. Morrison

I have said it is a free country, and even the Government are entitled to express their opinion.

Mr. Churchill

Are we then to understand that the British public are free to listen to anything they like, and anything they can, but that the Government will exercise restraining force on what is allowed to reach their ears?

Mr. Morrison

The answer to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is in the affirmative, and to the latter part, in the negative.

Mr. Churchill

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by saying that the Government will have their own view as to the wavelengths which are permitted to be used?

Mr. Morrison

If the right hon. Gentleman will read the answers which were given, I think that will be clear to him. In our view, it is undesirable that foreign countries should direct their broadcasting at this country for advertising purposes, on a number of grounds. But, if the citizen likes to listen to these broadcasts, there is nothing to prevent him, any more than there is to prevent him reading the "Spectator," if he wants to.

Mr. Churchill

Or the "Tribune," on Egypt.

An Hon. Member

No advertising.

Mr. Churchill

Do I gather that the Government intend to exercise a discriminatory control over the wavelengths on which the British public are allowed to hear statements made from foreign stations?

Mr. Morrison

I am most anxious not to get into a quarrelsome mood with the right hon. Gentleman, but we have said nothing of the kind.

Mr. Churchill

What did the right hon. Gentleman say just now?

Mr. Morrison

If the right hon. Gentleman will look it up in HANSARD tomorrow, he will find that I did not say what he thinks I said.

Mr. Churchill

But I was here, listening, and have the evidence of my ears to give me a very clear impression that the right hon. Gentleman was reserving to the Government powers of discrimination in respect of wavelengths.

Mr. Morrison

No, with great respect. In an international conference, the Government are quite entitled to argue about wavelengths, but, as far as I know, even this Government are not in a position to interfere with wavelengths at this moment.

Mr. Churchill

What is meant by "at this moment"? May I remind the right hon. Gentleman—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will recall the fact that during the war we, alone I think among all the belligerent countries, allowed anything to come in over the broadcasts from other countries, knowing that the people's good sense would place it in its proper relation?

Mr. Morrison

There is a great deal of truth in what the right hon. Gentleman has said, and I share with him our pride. Nevertheless, if I may remind him, under his Government there was a certain amount of jamming which went on, in order to impede these activities.

Mr. Churchill

But this is peacetime jamming.