§ 51. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will cease subsidising the B.B.C. and make the B.B.C. operate within the limits of its own resources from licences.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)I have been asked to reply. Home broadcasting services are not subsidised, but it is right that the general taxpayer, rather than the home listener, should bear the cost of broadcasting to other countries.
§ Sir W. SmithersWas not the real reason for subsidising the B.B.C. that the Government, like the Russian Government, want to spread their poisonous doctrine at the taxpayers' expense?
§ Mr. MellishIs it not out of Order, Sir, that an hon. Member should make a statement of that description when we have in the Gallery representatives of the Russian Government?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am sorry the hon. Member drew attention to it. It was certainly in very bad taste.