A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
THERE is no doubt of the foolishness of the rule which the In the News panel complained of last Friday. This rule prohibits discussion on wireless or television of any subject that is going to be debated in Parliament within fourteen days. If the subject is of any interest it is discussed and commented on in the press and on the platform immediately before, during and after the Parliamentary debate. There is, therefore, no principle involved and indeed Parliament as such is in no way involved. The rule merely suits the convenience of the party machines and the BBC. Anything that cuts down discussion on the air before back-benchers have been thoroughly briefed is to the advantage of the party whips who are chiefly concerned to get their fol- lowers into the right lobbies at the right time; a task which may be made more difficult if some of these followers have already adopted the wrong line in public. If there was free discussion on the air the risk would also be run of giving the impression to the public that there are more than two sides to any question. It is the present crystallisation of opinion into two rigid party orthodoxies that is dangerous. but it is a division which suits • the BBC because it enables it in effect to delegate the duties of providing a balanced representation on political opinions to the whips' offices and the party headquarters.
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