Oral Answers to Questions — Broadcasting (Welsh News and Programmes).

– in the House of Commons at on 25 March 1941.

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Photo of Major Goronwy Owen Major Goronwy Owen , Caernarvonshire

asked the Minister of Information (1) whether, in view of the fact that the majority of people engaged in industry and agriculture in Wales are, by the nature of their work, precluded from listening in to the Welsh news at five o'clock, he will arrange for the Welsh news to be broadcast at a more convenient hour, say seven o'clock in the evening;

(2) whether he is aware of the great and growing dissatisfaction in Wales with the brevity of the Welsh broadcast in the British Broadcasting Corporation programme; and whether he will arrange for a longer period to be allotted for this purpose?

Photo of Hon. Harold Nicolson Hon. Harold Nicolson , Leicester West

I regret that on account of the very great pressure on broadcasting time I cannot ask the B.B.C. to transfer the Welsh news to a peak listening hour, and for the same reason the Corporation cannot increase the time now devoted to programmes in Welsh.

Photo of Major Goronwy Owen Major Goronwy Owen , Caernarvonshire

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it has already been announced on the wireless that information at times of danger in this country will be broadcast? As the bulk of the people in Wales are occupied during the day, how can they possibly get to know the voices of the people who are making the announcement?

Photo of Hon. Harold Nicolson Hon. Harold Nicolson , Leicester West

I understand that the unoccupied people are in a rather elderly category, and it is not likely that a large proportion will be employed at the time of the Welsh broadcasts.