HC Deb 31 July 1946 vol 426 cc942-3
47. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Lord President of the Council by what method the members of the Advisory Committee for Wales will be appointed.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

The Welsh Advisory Council of the British Broadcasting Corporation, to which I assume my hon. Friend refers will be appointed by the Governors of the Corporation, who, in accordance with their usual custom, will take such prior consultations as are appropriate.

Mr. Freeman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there will be strong resentment in Wales if any appointment is made on the Welsh Advisory Committee without consulting or receiving any advice from anybody in Wales? Would he not consider making such appointments on the nomination of such a representative body as the Welsh Parliamentary party? Will he consider such nominations?

Mr. Morrison

It will depend on what the House wants. If the House wants the B.B.C. to be run by Parliament and politicians, all right, but the tendency in the Debate was the other way. Whether we can get an advisory council to select an advisory council, I do not know, but if there are means whereby we can have informal consultations with representative Welsh opinion on the matter we shall be delighted to do so.

Mr. Watkins

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that whoever is appointed will be able to speak the Welsh language?

Mr. Morrison

That is a matter for the B.B.C. I have no doubt that would be taken into account, but if I may say so with respect, I think that to exclude a large number of Welshmen and Welsh residents who do not speak the Welsh language would be rather inappropriate.

Mr. Nally

Is my right hon. Friend aware that English Members of this House are so terrified of the Welsh and Scots that if the committee consists of 100 per cent. Englishmen, they will both get better terms?

Mr. Morrison

We will try to remember that.