§ 36. Dr. Strossasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the British Broadcasting Corporation is not able to function adequately as a patron of the arts, or to assist in the creation of new work, owing to its restricted income; and what action is contemplated to overcome this difficulty.
§ Mr. GammansI am not aware of any such failure on the part of the B.B.C., nor have the Corporation complained to my noble Friend that they cannot function adequately as a patron of the arts owing to lack of funds. Indeed, I think most people would agree that the Corporation is one of the greatest present-day patrons of the arts.
§ Dr. StrossIs the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that he has missed the whole point of the Question? Does he not know that the B.B.C., which is a notable user of the arts, but has not the money to ask for new presentations or new forms from artists, is not, therefore, a true patron? It is not a creative patron of the arts but a great and very magnificent user. We want patronage in view of the fact that we cannot now afford it personally.
§ Mr. GammansI suggest that the hon. Gentleman should listen to the Third Programme for a week or two. If he does that, I think he will agree that the B.B.C. is not pandering to the low taste of earthy extroverts but is helping the arts in every possible way.
§ Dr. StrossCan I not make apparent to the Assistant Postmaster-General what I am asking? Of course, there is a magnificent presentation of all forms of the arts by the B.B.C., but the B.B.C. cannot ask artists to offer them new creations and new forms, and it is not patronage.
§ Mr. GammansIf I undertsand the hon. Gentleman correctly, he is complaining that the B.B.C. has not enough money. If that is true, the B.B.C. has not said so.