§ 19. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recommendations he made concerning the appointment of an editor for the Siamese section of the B.B.C. Far Eastern Broadcasting Service.
§ Mr. MayhewSince responsibility for the staff of the British Broadcasting Corporation rests with the Corporation, it would not have been proper for my right hon. Friend to offer recommendations.
§ Mr. TeelingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his Department unofficially put forward the name of one of their own Siamese experts who was retiring and was ready to take on this work, and that he was not even interviewed? Further, is the hon. Gentleman aware that his Department also unofficially informed the B.B.C. how unwise it was that a Siamese should, especially at the present time, be put in charge of this particular department.
§ Mr. MayhewIn reply to the last part of that supplementary question, I understand there is close supervision by British subjects of all foreign language broadcasts. In reply to the first part of the question, no doubt informal conversations took place, but I cannot accept responsibility for the appointment.
§ Mr. TeelingIf what the hon. Gentleman says about supervision taking place is correct, how is it possible for anyone to supervise the Siamese who is at the head of this section, unless he is someone who speaks Siamese? There is no one there who speaks Siamese.
§ Mr. MayhewI would like to look into the point as to whether there is anyone who speaks Siamese but my information is that all these foreign broadcasts are supervised by British subjects?
§ Mr. WarbeyDoes my hon. Friend mean that his Department takes no responsibility for informal advice which is given on these matters?
§ Mr. MayhewI said that I took no responsibility for the appointment, but if I am told, and I cannot check it, that informal conversations have taken place, that would seem to be natural.