HL Deb 28 July 1942 vol 124 cc49-50
THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing on the Paper in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether, to effect an immediate saving of fuel, they will invite the British Broadcasting Corporation to terminate their Home Programme at 11.30, instead of at midnight.]

LORD TEMPLEMORE

My Lords, my noble friend Lord Selborne is unable to be in his place, and I understand he has communicated with the noble Earl on this subject. I have been asked to reply. His Majesty's Government are not in a position to make a statement in reply to the noble Earl's question to-day. The matter, however, has been under consideration, and my right honourable friend the Minister of Information hopes to be able to make an announcement in another place very shortly.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I should like to ask whether the Government already have the information which would provide an answer to my question?

LORD TEMPLEMORE

I am quite unable to say. I only know the answer which I have been given, that the matter is under consideration and that a statement will be made very shortly.

LORD ADDISON

My Lords, is not it possible that information already available to be made public is being withheld from this House for a few hours so that it can be given somewhere else, and is there any reason why this House should not be told as soon as the House of Commons?