§ 19. Mr. Bairdasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will take steps to encourage the interchange of broadcasts, especially sports broadcasts, between Great Britain and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
§ Lord John HopeMy right hon. Friend has been seeking, in negotiation with the Soviet Government at Geneva, to remove the obstacles to a free interchange of broadcasts, namely, the jamming by the Russians of all our broadcasts to the U.S.S.R. The Russians have known for some time that they could have broadcasting facilities at sporting events in the United Kingdom if they would undertake not to jam the B.B.C. Russian commentaries upon them. The Soviet authorities have, however, not been prepared to make this reciprocal gesture.
§ Mr. BairdFor what reason was the broadcast of the football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Russian Dynamos cancelled a few weeks ago? Does the hon. Gentleman not 2295 realise that when Wolverhampton Wanderers were in Russia every facility was given to the B.B.C. to broadcast to England accounts of the matches which they played there? Is not the decision, taken at the last moment, both churlish and childish?
§ Lord John HopeNo, Sir, I think it is neither. It is a sensible decision, and the Russians will understand it perfectly well.
§ Mr. MayhewWhat action are the Government taking to ensure that when Mr. Bulganin and Mr. Krushchev pay their good-will visit to us next year the B.B.C. broadcasts of their speeches are not jammed by the Soviet authorities?