asked the Minister of Information at what date the practice commenced of reading extracts from articles in the Sunday newspapers as part of the British Broadcasting Corporation news bulletins; and whether he will take steps to prevent strongly political propagandist views from being given further publicity over the wireless in the news?

The B.B.C.'s practice of quoting from the British Press, either by individual extract or by Press summaries, is of long standing. The choice of such references is determined by their value as news, and my right hon. Friend is not prepared to impose any further general rule regarding this practice.

Has my hon. Friend made inquiries with regard to the publicity given by the B.B.C. to an article in "Reynolds," which was strong Communist propaganda in a paper with the smallest circulation?

I presume the article in question was included on account of its news value. My right hon. Friend has complete confidence in the objectivity of the B.B.C. officials who are doing this work.

Can my hon. Friend make representations to the B.B.C. that when the news is being read the public in general want the truth and nothing but the truth and not the comments of the people who read the news or extracts from newspaper articles?

Is the decision as to which newspaper extracts should be read taken by the B.B.C. or by the Minister of Information?

It is taken by the officials of the B.B.C. and not by the Minister of Information.

Will the hon. Gentleman encourage the B.B.C. to advocate the lifting of the ban on the "Daily Worker" and publish extracts from that very valuable paper?