HC Deb 02 July 1947 vol 439 cc1302-3
18. Mrs. Jean Mann

asked the Postmaster-General how many anti-Government Members of Parliament and candidates for Parliament have participated in talks and discussions on the Scottish service of the B.B.C, between 1st January and 30th June; and how many Members of Parliament or candidates for Parliament who support the Government.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

Between 1st January and 31st May, 1947, the numbers of hon. Members broadcasting in the Scottish Home Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation were: Labour, 16; Conservative, 14; National, 1; National Liberal, 1; Liberal, 1; Independent, 5. In addition, the Prime Minister and the right hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Eden) have broadcast in the series "Party Political Broadcasts." Two Government and one Opposition spokesmen broadcast on the Budget, and five Ministers broadcast on other occasions. I regret that information for the further period up to 30th June is not yet available, and that the number of broadcasters who may be Parliamentary candidates is not known.

Mrs. Mann

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the policy has changed very greatly during June, and that on several Fridays in that month, particularly on the second Friday, we had six speakers of whom two were Tories, one anti-Labour—[An HON. MEMBER: "Anti-Labour?"]—Yes, I refer to the minister of a certain cathedral who has been famous for making anti-Labour pronouncements; therefore, I call him anti-Labour. There were also: one Communist, one Liberal Scottish Nationalist and one Scottish Nationalist. There was no Member of the Government whatever.

Mr. Hopkin Morris

May I ask what the term "anti-Government Members" in the Question means?

Mr. Wallace

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that there will be no professional comedians among anti-Government speakers?

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

As one of the six people referred to by the hon. Lady, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman decides whether the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) is pro-Government or anti-Government?

Mr. Paling

No, thank goodness, I have not to decide that.