5 MAY 1939, Page 6

The B.B.C., which by its Charter is under obligation to

issue Government statements when called on so to do, is on occasion recusant. Not long ago it was rung up in the middle of the evening by a certain Government Depart- ment and told that it was considered urgent that a certain official intimation should be broadcast in the 9 o'clock news that night. The B.B.C. indicated due compliance and asked the subject of the announcement ; the question was tactfully evaded, with an explanation that the notice was being sent immediately by hand. It arrived soon after, was found to be headed " Disposal of Civil Corpses in War." It was a case for swift decision and swift decision was taken ; listeners to the news bulletins have still not heard a word on civil corpses.

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