RADIO AND POLITICS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 33, 8 August 1934, Page 8

RADIO AND POLITICS

(To the Editor.) ■ Sir,—As ono who is a keen radio enthusiast, and also a frequent visitor to Parliament, I completely disagree with the remarks of "Keep Out" when he states "that not 1 per cent, of-lis-teners want to hear Parliamentary debates." -This-question is often raised among listeners, and- Mr. McKeen j should be congratulated for his courage in bringing it beforo Parliament and also into tho arena for public discussion. ] Personally, I think this question is of sufficient public importance to have it submitted to a ballot among listeners. —I am, etc., ; ■~'-.- ENIGMA. (To the Editor.) ' Sir, —Anent tho attitude of some members that Parliamentary speeches should be broadcast, would it be too much' to seek an expression of public opinion on the advisability of this system being adopted in lieu of Hansard? Hansard-reaches very few individuals, but were a station set.up with a special wave-length of its own and the whole proceedings of the House sent out thousands would listen in Where Hansard does not reach to tens.* At present one has to depend on newspaper reports. To some extent some of these are concerned more with the House as it affects their own. district than politics in. their larger aspect. Moreover, Hansard .is always' behindhand; broadcasting would be right up to the moment and people would take a more active interest in what was going forward. TJiO tone of Parliament also would rise. More caro would be given j to tho preparation, of speeches, they: would be shorter and more to the- point, and everybody would benefit. ■ '. What it would cost to install such a service is for experts to suggest. The abolition of Hansard has often been proposed. It is out of the question to consider using the YA station? for the purpose of such a service as it would bo continuous while tho House is in session. Deputations not taken iii private could also1 be broadcast.—l am, et», . - - . ■ ■ ~. ' ' ■ ■ .'.'.-■