HC Deb 23 April 1947 vol 436 cc1025-7
42. Mr. Gammans

asked the Postmaster-General if the B.B.C. broadcast on 13th April by Mr. Henry Wallace, in which the domestic and foreign policy of the United States Government was attacked, was made with the knowledge of, or after consultation with, His Majesty's Government; if there are any previous instances of a foreign statesman being granted similar facilities by the B.B.C. to criticise his own Government; and if he will offer a similar opportunity to any United States statesman who supports the domestic and foreign policy of President Truman's administration.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Burke)

It has been the policy of successive Governments to afford the British Broadcasting Corporation independence

second was to Canberra in January for the Conference which established the South Pacific Regional Commission, and the third was for consultations in Malaya. The fourth was to the Gold Coast in March for the second session of the West African Council, which I was personally unable to attend.

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the other details for which the hon. Member has asked.

Mr. Erroll

While I welcome these visits, I hope that the Minister will allow his Under-Secretary a little time at home.

Following is the statement:

in the choice of their programmes and the material which they contain. The present Government are continuing that policy and the question of consultation with them about Mr. Wallace's broadcast did, therefore, not arise. It is not proposed to intervene in the matter.

Mr. Gammans

Will the Minister answer the second part of my Question, and also say if, in view of the fact that the B.B.C. is a monopoly whose Governors are appointed by the Government, he considers it wise or appropriate that these facilities should be provided for foreign statesmen to criticise their own Governments? If so, will General de Gaulle be allowed to criticise the French Government on the B.B.C., will Spanish Monarchists be allowed to attack Franco, will E.L.A.S. be allowed—

Mr. Speaker

That is a hypothetical question.

Mr. Burke

All those questions as to what the B.B.C. will do are covered by the first part of my answer. With regard to the other part of the Question, the hon. Member knows that President Truman's announcement on aid to Greece and Turkey was broadcast by the B.B.C. He also knows that last night the B.B.C. broadcast the United States Ambassador's speech at the Pilgrims' dinner.

Hon. Members

Why not?

Mr. Burke

This House in the last Debate asked that the B.B.C. should be given opportunities for more controversy. Now that these are being given hon. Members ought not to complain.

Mr. Benn Levy

Will my hon. Friend firmly resist any pressure to reduce freedom of expression on the B.B.C.?

Mr. Burke

I think that has been our policy all along.

Sir W. Smithers

The trouble is that it is all one way.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the case that Mr. Wallace has got under the skin of the American Tories and "galled the gibe" of the British Tories?

Mr. Keeling

Can the Assistant Postmaster-General say whether any facilities are given by American broadcasting corporations to British politicians to attack His Majesty's Government?

Mr. Gallacher

What about Churchill?

Hon. Members

Fulton.

Mr. Burke

The American broadcasting corporations do afford facilities, but what use private citizens make of those facilities is the affair of those private citizens.