Expenditure (Hansard, 14 March 1960)

§ 28. Mr. Mayhew
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what increase he is proposing in the ceiling for information expenditure next year.

§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Dr. Charles Hill)
I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the publication of the Civil Estimates.

§ Mr. Mayhew
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement of the Foreign Secretary last week, though apparently premature, that there would be an increase of the ceiling is welcome on this side of the House? May I put this point to him? This year the B.B.C. has been forced to cut its transmissions to the Far East for lack of money. When this ceiling is increased next year it will be given money to restore those transmissions. Why must it lose the audience which it has built up over many years because of financial stringency this year? Will the right hon. Gentleman look into that?

§ Dr. Hill
For the details, the hon. Gentleman will not have to await very long publication of the Civil Estimates. On the subject of the B.B.C., I would remind him that the allocation to the B.B.C. since 1956–57 has increased by £1 million, from £5½ million to £6½ million.

§ Mr. Mayhew
Why must the services be cut this year to be restored next year, with all that that involves?

§ Dr. Hill
I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the Civil Estimates, which I am not going to anticipate.