§ 48. Mr. William A. Stewardasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a recent British Broadcasting Corporation overseas broadcast received in British Guiana, showed British Middle Eastern policy in an unfavourable light; and if he will take steps to ensure that these broadcasts are not harmful to British interests in the future.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Eden)I am not aware of this. If my hon. Friend will send me details I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. StewardIs the Foreign Secretary aware that on 24th January of this year the B.B.C. G.M.T. overseas news bulletin broadcast Egyptian views of British atrocities in Egypt, and as the suggestion that our gallant boys in Egypt should be guilty of any atrocities is completely false, would he please use his best endeavours to stop the B.B.C. broadcasting such propaganda, which is detrimental to British interests?
§ Mr. EdenAs I have said to my hon. Friend just now, I am not aware of it, but if he will give me some information and send details I will look into it.
§ Mr. R. T. PagetMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the reputation of the B.B.C. is based upon its being objective and giving both sides of the case?
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonMay I ask what powers are possessed by my right hon. Friend other than moral persuasion?
§ Mr. EdenIf I am given the facts, I have no doubt I can discuss the matter objectively, as appears to be the desire of both sides of the House.
§ 50. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Soviet Union's efforts to jam certain British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts have now been fully extended to Czecho- 24 Slovak broadcasts; that there has been sporadic interference with the Slovak and Hungarian services; that further efforts to jam broadcasts to Iron Curtain countries can be expected; and whether he will now give an assurance that the cost of the efforts to overcome the jamming will not result in further reduction in the British Broadcasting Corporation's Overseas Service.
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir, I am aware that the jamming of transmissions to Iron Curtain countries is being steadily extended, but I am not yet in a position to say how the measures to overcome this jamming will be financed.
§ Major BeamishIs my right hon. Friend aware that while everyone on this side of the House will understand the great need of urgent Government economies, there are strong feelings that any further reduction in the B.B.C. Overseas Service will be false economy?
§ Mr. EdenI would have answered a Question, had it been asked, but I cannot make a statement on this now; I hope to be able to do so very shortly.
§ Mr. John HyndIs it not the case that the economies already incurred by the Government would have a serious effect on the possibility of preventing this jamming?