§ 10. Mr. Donnellyasked the Postmaster-General why he instructed the British Broadcasting Corporation to postpone the showing of the television play depicting the trial of the Soviet writers Sinyavsky and Daniel.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNo such instruction has been given to the B.B.C.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs the Postmaster-General aware, nevertheless, that the B. B.C. has received approaches from Soviet sources which have caused the Corporation to alter its programmes? In view of the very grave implications of this form of censorship, will he take steps to see that the B.B.C. do not do this sort of thing again?
§ Mr. ShortI think that all that happened here was that the Russian Government made known to the Foreign Office its view of the Sinyavsky and Daniel programme. The Foreign Office passed it on to the B.B.C. without any comment of any kind. I carried out a very careful check indeed, and no 998 Government Department exerted any pressure whatsoever on the B.B.C.
§ Mr. BiffenNone the less, would not the Postmaster-General agree that the B.B.C. showed a remarkable sensitivity to these representations from the Russian authorities which contrast very sharply to the barbaric treatment that the Russians are according Gerald Brooke?
§ Mr. ShortI really do not see what the tragic case of Mr. Brooke has to do with it. But hon. Members opposite cannot have it both ways. Week by week they complain of the insensitivity of the B.B.C. I repeat, they cannot have it both ways.