HC Deb 02 August 1962 vol 664 cc119-20W
42. Mr. D. Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Prison Commissioners have sanctioned a radio programme about a man now serving a seven-year sentence for arson; and why this sanction was given.

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

We have no power to sanction or forbid such a programme. The Commissioners, when consulted about the proposed programme, informed the British Broadcasting Corporation that from their point of view publicity about an individual prisoner was undesirable. The Corporation nevertheless decided to go ahead with the programme, but agreed to put it in a regional broadcast which would not be heard in the prison concerned.