HC Deb 28 October 1953 vol 518 c2776
15. Mr. Dodds

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will permit the British Broadcasting Corporation to retain the whole of the licence revenues in order to enable reasonable progress to be made in the presentation of programmes to the public.

Mr. Gammans

The whole question of B.B.C. finance is being reviewed by the Government in consultation with the Corporation.

Mr. Dodds

Will the hon. Gentleman get his hon. Friends to bear in mind that, whatever might have been the policy in former years about finance, it is now obvious that it is vital that the B.B.C. should have more money to enable it to do the job it has to do?

Mr. Gammans

It is not for me, but for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to decide whether he is prepared to give up the Exchequer contribution.

Dr. Stross

Will the Minister bear in mind that the B.B.C. have been described recently in the annual report of the Arts Council as the greatest devourers of the arts but not able to contribute creatively much to them because of lack of funds, and that, if their funds are increased, they will be able to contribute very appreciably to our artistic life?

Mr. Gammans

I must ask hon. Members to realise that this is a contribution to the Exchequer of the country. It is not a matter of reparations to a foreign Power. This is a contribution to the Exchequer, which means that in this way less taxation is needed in other directions.