THE B.B.C. AND PACIFISM
Slit,—Mr. Cleghom Thomson points out that certain well-known preachers holding pacifist views are no longer allowed to broadcast. I should like to draw attention to the fact that this is in keeping with the B.B.C.'s domestic attitude towards its employees who may be conscientious objectors.
Parliament in recognising the right to freedom of conscience has set up tribunals by which conscientious objectors may legally be registered as such. On more than one occasion a responsible Minister has deplored the victimisation of conscientious objectors by local authorities and other bodies. One of the Civil Service rulings on the subject holds that if the claim of a conscientious objector is upheld by the appropriate tribunal no automatic action will be taken against the individual concerned in the matter of his civil employ- ment, provided that he complies with the requirements of the tribunal.
It would be reasonable to suppose that the B.B.C. would follow suit, but the Board of Governors has decided that conscientious objectors who have registered as such under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act shall have their engagement terminated forth- with. If and when they obtain non-combatant service in the Army application for reinstatement would be reconsidered. The corpora- tion thus takes action before the man in question has any oppor- tunity to exercise his statutory right to vindicate his position before a tribunal.
Before this decision took full effect a member of the B.B.C. staff, going before the South-Western Local Tribunal in August last, was placed on the Register of Conscientious Objectors and ordered to remain in his present occupation with the B.B.C. The chairman made this order with full knowledge of the attitude taken by the B.B.C. Nevertheless, the conscientious objector in question was dis- missed from the corporation.
It is, therefore, hardly surprising that a body whose prejudice deliberately violates the intention of Parliament should make every effort to keep all who may be suspect of pacifist sympathies from the
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