§ 69. Mr. S. Silvermanasked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied that His Majesty's Government have sufficient powers to advise and direct the British Broadcasting Corporation in matters concerning the policy to be pursued in the national interest in political broadcasts to Eastern Europe, and that such powers enable the Government to prevent the employment of politically unsuitable persons; and what steps he proposes to take to strengthen the Government's powers to see that these matters of national policy are not irresponsibly or mischievously handled.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingAs to the first part of the Question, the B.B.C. is independent in the preparation of programmes for overseas audiences, though it obtains from the Government Departments concerned such information about conditions in those countries and Government policies towards them as will permit it to plan its programmes in the national interest. The Corporation may employ British subjects at its discretion; it may only employ aliens, however, under such terms as the Postmaster-General prescribes, but these have not been designed to prevent the employment of particular individuals. As to the second part of the Question, I see no need to take any further powers.