THE B.B.C. " CENSORSHIP " [To the Editor of THE
SPECTATOR.] SM,—Not being a reader of the Daily Herald, I have only just seen Professor J. B. S. Haldane's ". banned " broadcast talk on " Causes of War". in the issue of November 3rd. This is such a valuable contribution to the series that the official reason for disallowing it seems inadequate. It keeps to the subject rather more . than Lord Beaverbrook's eloquent address did. It raises the important, question of such defence- measures as bomb-proof shelters.. .It proposes the
storing of a three years' supply' of wheat to make us less vulnerable. Surely these matters should at least be dis- cussed ? It is Socialistic in tone, but Socialists have fre- quently broadcast. Why was it banned ?
Professor Haldane explains quite forcibly the view that armament traders do in subtle ways influence the ..war-or- peace issue. Since Dr. Inge in his impressive address broad- cast the opinion that they do not, this seems only reasonable. He also criticized Dr. Inge's other questionable statement, that pressure on the means of subsistence " was a cause of war, pointing out that the means of subsistence are ample. But if the series is to be complete, surely all points of view should be represented ?
One begins to wonder what are the qualifications for the important post of Director of Programmes. The present holder is a distinguished soldier, and an M.A. of Oxford University. In 1982 he was a delegate. to the Disarmament Conference. His brother (Major-General Dawnay) is a director of our most famous armament firm, according to Who's Who. No doubt he has other claims to distinction ; it is time that the public knew. what they are.
If the B.B.C. is going to exercise censorship over the views of such an eminent scientist as. Professor Haldane, it had better return to its former. rule—" no controversial matter." But as a really free platform for the expression of .opinion its value could not be over-estimated.—I am,
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