FUTURE OF B.B.C.

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24911, 26 June 1946, Page 7

FUTURE OF B.B.C.

COMMONS TO DISCUSS CHARTER STRENUOUS DEBATE EXPECTED (Special Correspondent N.ZPA.) LONDON. June 24. The 8.8. C. Charter is likely to be Strenuously debated when It comes before the House of Commons this week. It is 10 years since the corporation's charter was Isst examined by the Ullswater Committee, and, during that period, great changes occurred in its scope and responsibilities. Chief of these changes was the advent of television and the enormous increase in overseas broadcasting. The chtef issue before the House of Commons will undoubtedly be the nature of the control of the corporation. Although It is felt in many quarters that there should be closer/ contact between Parliament and the 8.8. C., there is a certain strong resistance in the Opposition to any sugges- . tion of increased Government domination. From the point of view of the ordinary listener, the most important matter is the increased licence fees, which were doubled earlier in the year without, it us contended by many critics, a commensurate improvement In the services or programmes. In addition, there has been a demand from Jhe Labour back benchers for a more “democratic" administration within the organisation itself and the feeling is expressed by both sides of the House that the Increasing expenditure on the corporation should be discussed. Whatever the result otthe Opposition demand for a debate on the charter and its reference to a select committee, it is certain that the debate will provide opportunities for members on both aides of tha House to ventilate a number of currant criticism# ” on the operation of Britain's broadcasting services.