§ 8. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the paramount need of establishing and extending understanding and goodwill towards this country among European, Soviet and Middle East peoples, he will consider the improvement of the present Overseas Broadcast Service, particularly in relation to the unsatis- 496 factory grouping of countries in the B.B.C. organisation and the checking of actual broadcasts made, so that their accuracy and tact may be assured.
Mr. Noel-BakerHis Majesty's Government agree with the hon. Member in thinking that broadcasting is an important instrument in promoting understanding and goodwill towards this country. This has been clearly shown both in the White Paper on Broadcasting Policy and in the remarks of my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council in the Debate in the Committee of Supply, on 16th July. But, for the reasons given in the White Paper and by my right hon. Friend, it is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to control the output of the B.B.C., or to dictate the details of its internal organisation.
§ Mr. StewartIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the precise criticism which I offered of this particular service, and that I addressed a series of precise points to the Lord President of the Council on this question? As the right hon. Gentleman himself has chosen to reply to me, is he not prepared to pay the slightest attention to the criticisms which I made in the recent Debate, which were not answered?
Mr. Noel-BakerI will certainly pay full attention to the hon. Gentleman's criticisms and proposals, but I do not think that I could usefully add, at Question time, to what my right hon. Friend the Lord President said.