A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
THE idea that the closing speeches of full-dress debates in the House of Commons might occasionally be broadcast is being freely canvassed among Members of Parliament. There is a great deal to he said for it. Such a procedure might well do something to -restore the respect of the country for Parliamentary institutions. In the last hour of an important debate the House is crowded and excited, the leading figures of Government and Opposition are in action, and the clash of temperament and argument is seen at its best. At present only a very small proportion of the electors ever see Parliament in session, and of those only a minority are lucky enough to hear a good debate. They are therefore an easy prey to the daily onslaughts from diverse quarters on Parlia- mentary • institutions and what is an unconscious but perhaps more effective form of propaganda against democracy, the music-hall jokes about politicians. Parlia- ment has a bad Press today, and there is every reason why it should take what advantage it can of such a medium of publicity as the wireless offers. There are no doubt practical difficulties, in that big debates are often not arranged far enough ahead to fit in to B.B.C. programmes, but the suggestion is well worth exploring. In principle I can. see nothing against it.
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