HC Deb 05 December 1949 vol 470 cc1526-7
47. Mr. John E. Haire

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much time is devoted by the British Broadcasting Corporation in their Overseas Service broadcasts to France and Germany; and whether he will now advise the British Broadcasting Corporation to use some of this time for broadcasts to countries in Eastern Europe.

Mr. Mayhew

The B.B.C. broadcasts to France and Germany respectively for 4½ and 4¾ hours daily. Because of the system of networks corresponding roughly to geographical areas on which the B.B.C. European Services operate, adjustments in the duration of broadcasts are possible only as between reception areas on the same network. France is not on the same network as the Eastern European countries and therefore any time saved on the French transmissions could not be used for Eastern Europe. Germany is on the Eastern European network but my right hon. Friend would be reluctant to advise any reduction of German transmissions.

Mr. Haire

Would not my hon. Friend agree that the need for broadcasting to France is much less than it was a year ago and that listener research now indicates a very reduced B.B.C. audience in France? Can he say whether the technical difficulties in that respect are insuperable?

Mr. Mayhew

I am not sure about the facts which my hon. Friend has put forward, but I have explained the very serious difficulties in the way of this change.

Sir W. Smithers

Will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to use all the influence he can to stop the B.B.C. broadcasting pro-Communist propaganda such as "The Soviet View"?