§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE EARL OF CRAWFORDMy Lords, this is a Bill which I hope your Lordships will accept. The principle was agreed to by the Government last year; it was approved by the Committee set up by the Government to inquire into broadcasting questions generally; and the Bill has been passed without Division through the House of Commons. The object is simply that blind persons should be entitled to have, free of licence duty, the right to receive broadcast messages. The Postmaster-General is vested with powers of control and he can impose conditions and restrictions with the object of avoiding any abuse of this right. It has of course many analogies, such as free dog licences, travelling facilities, postage of books and other advantages which blind persons are entitled under Acts of Parliament to enjoy. I think broadcasting has a very great educational value. Certainly, for a blind person, it is the best agency of self-instruction and education and, as such, is likely to be of material as well 849 as personal or sentimental value to blind persons generally. I beg, therefore, to move that the Bill be now read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2ª.—(The Earl of Crawford.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2ª, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.