Parliament and B.B.C.
The discussion on the B.B.C. in the House of Commons on Wednesday produced few criticisms going beyond the expression of individual tastes, though Mr. Henry Strauss made a point which deserves to be underlined when he emphatically condemned broad- casts embodying attacks on other countries ; since Mr. Herbert Morrison, after reading the particular script referred to, characterised it as " anti-British, anti-American and not very competent " the criticism can clearly not be dismissed as unfounded. Broadly speak- ing the difference between Mr. Bracken for the Opposition and Mr. Morrison for the Government was small, and that on the whole reflects the public's approval of the B.B.C.'s work, subject, no doubt to reservations on points of detail. It was agreed that more con- troversy is desirable, but Mr. Morrison was wise to point out that undue freedom of discussion of certain subjects would genuinely offend the susceptibilities of many listeners who have a full right to be considered. He was equally sound, and clearly had the House with him, in dismissing any idea of broadcasting the proceedings of Parliament. The finance of the B.B.C. is another question. A licence now costs LI, and of that only 16s. goes to the B.B.C. itself, Is. being taken by the Post Office for the not very considerable services it renders, and 3s. by the Treasury, which renders no services whatever in this connection. Mr. Morrison's argument that a public utility corporation should make profits for the taxpayer is completely fallacious. The business of such a body is to give the best possible service at the lowest possible cost, and its economies and efficiency should accrue to the benefit of its users, not of the community as a whole. The disturbing allegation of bribery of B.B.C. officials intro- duced in the course of the debate must dearly be probed exhaustively. Whatever may be said of the way in which the matter was raised, it cannot be brushed aside as empty rumour. The new Chairman of the B.B.C., Lord Inman—an excellent appointment—should take firm hold of this at once.
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