§ Mr. Finlayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what applications were made by the Soviet authorities for broadcasting facilities in connection with the recent Wolverhampton Wanderers versus Spartak football match; and whether he will make a statement.
156Wsuffered from pneumoconiosis in each of the years since 1951, inclusive.
§ Mr. MarplesThe number of cases of pneumoconiosis diagnosed under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts is as follows:
§ Mr. TurtonYes. On 8th November, the General Post Office received a request from the Soviet Ministry of Communications for facilities to enable Radio Moscow to broadcast a commentary on the Spartak v. Arsenal match on 9th November. Her Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow was then instructed to inform the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs that facilities would be provided on the assumption that the B.B.C. Russian service commentaries on the match would not be jammed. This communication was made orally at 11 a.m. and by Note at 12.35 p.m. on 9th November. Facilities were given to Moscow Radio but the B.B.C. broadcasts were jammed as usual. The following day the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Her Majesty's Embassy that the request had been received too late for action to be taken.
On 13th November Her Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow was therefore instructed to inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that facilities for the Spartak versus Wolverhampton Wanderers match on the evening of 16th November would be given only if they undertook not to jam the B.B.C. commentaries. In making the communication the Embassy suggested that jamming of the B.B.C. commentary would be inconsistent with the desire so frequently expressed in Moscow for the development of cultural relations. On the evening of 15th November the General Post Office received a request from the Soviet Ministry of Communications for a circuit from Wolverhampton to Moscow to enable Moscow Radio to broadcast a commentary on the 157W match. They replied that the matter was under discussion between Her Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow and the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As no reply was received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Her Majesty's Ambassador's representations before the match took place, no facilities were given. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied on 17th November (the day after the match) that they regretted that they could not give the undertaking which Her Majesty's Ambassador had requested.
As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, Moscow Radio broadcasts regularly to this country in English without interference, and the practice of jamming was condemned by the United Nations General Assembly at its Fifth Session in its Resolution No. 424.