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Sir: Whenever Paul Johnson bashes the BBC, he never lets us down.
Last week (12 September) he asserted that the corporation was dominated 'at the decision-making levels, news, current affairs, drama and other areas where ideas and politics are important . . . [by] the kind of middle-class people who vote Labour or Alliance.' He went on to lament that 'young men and women who reject the orthodox progressive pharmacopoeia stand little chance of promotion'.
On 11 September it was announced that Mrs Patricia Hodgson, aged 40, had been appointed to the key post of Head of the new Central Policy and Planning Unit. Mrs Hodgson was the Tory candidate for Isling- ton South in 1974. I am sure she is a first-class choice.
Nice one, Paul!
Melvyn Bragg
Head of Arts, London Weekend Television, Upper Ground, London SE1
Paul Johnson writes: The imbalance is at production level, where programmes are actually made. No one disputes that some Tories are to be found in BBC manage- ment.
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