HC Deb 15 April 1953 vol 514 cc201-2
Mr. Wigg

(by Private Notice) asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what facilities will be granted to Senator McCarthy's investigators, Mr. Cohn and Mr. Schine, to inspect the B.B.C.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. David Gammans)

It is entirely a matter for the B.B.C. to decide what courtesy they should extend to visitors from abroad.

Mr. Wigg

Would the hon. Gentleman extend to these gentlemen the customary British welcome, but would he also assure them that we should regard it as thoroughly reprehensible that any visit to this country should be used as an occasion to gather evidence to prosecute and deliberately smear liberal-minded persons in America?

Mr. Gammans

; That is a purely hypothetical question to which it would be improper for me to give an answer. No application whatever has been made, either to the B.B.C. or to the Post Office, for any facilities for these two gentlemen.

Mr. Hobson

In view of the fact that in the last analysis the Postmaster-General has complete power over the B.B.C, does the Minister propose to tender any advice to the B.B.C?

Mr. Gammans

No advice has been asked for by the B.B.C, because no application has been made to them. The question of granting courtesy is always left to the B.B.C. and the Government have complete faith in the power of the B.B.C. to exercise that discretion.

Mr. S. Silverman

Would the hon. Gentleman, at any rate, undertake on behalf of the Government that no obstacle of any kind will be placed in the way of these gentlemen visiting this country, and that if they come they will be given the fullest possible facilities for observing democracy at work?

Mr. Gammans

The question of granting facilities for people to come to this country is not a matter that concerns me.