HC Deb 22 February 1962 vol 654 cc629-30
Q2. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Prime Minister if he will move to appoint a Select Committee of the House to consider and report on how to bring about more democratic proceedings on the radio and television during the next General Election, and how to ensure in these media a fair opportunity for candidates and for free speech for the working class during a General Election.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. These matters were arranged last time after consultation between the B.B.C., I.T.A. and the Conservative, Labour and Liberal parties. So far as I remember, the broad results were satisfactory.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Does the Prime Minister remember that great conference held in Manchester which Lord Beaver-brook addressed when he returned from Russia? Does he agree that it assisted to stimulate our war effort, and is he aware that those same men are now engaged in the export trade and are feeling disfranchised because of the undermining of their democratic rights? Will the Prime Minister agree to reconsider this so that their rights can be restored?

The Prime Minister

I tried to follow the purpose of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, but I found it a little difficult to connect it with the Question about the television arrangements for General Elections. I will certainly consider most sympathetically any point that he has to make, but I think it right that these arrangements should be made in the usual way between the various parties and the television authorities.