HC Deb 09 April 1951 vol 486 c41W
52. Mr. H. Brooke

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, at a moment when it is particularly important that the views of people in this country should be clearly and widely known abroad, his Department's grant for overseas broadcasting services is being reduced; and what consideration has been given to the difficulty of re-assembling expert staffs, once a reduction of this kind has necessitated their dismissal.

Mr. Younger

As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Profumo) on 4th April, the reduction in the B.B.C.'s Estimates for their Overseas Service is due to the pressing need for economy in public expenditure. The point that staff may, in the future, have to be re-assembled has not been overlooked and was taken into consideration in deciding this reduction.