HC Deb 30 November 1965 vol 721 cc1229-30
Q3. Mr. Hamling

asked the Prime Minister what further consideration he has given to the abolition of censorship of stage and television productions.

The Prime Minister

The Government are considering how best the law relating to censorship of stage plays might be reviewed.

Mr. Hamling

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is disquiet in some circles not only about the activities of some busybodies but also about Government interference in certain programmes——

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not wait for his applause but will get on with his supplementary question.

Mr. Hamling

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is alarm not only about the activities of some busybodies but also about Government interference in programmes, particularly in relation to the programme "The War Game"?

The Prime Minister

The Government have not interfered in any way with stage plays or with any of these programmes. As regards rumours about "The War Game", the Government have not interfered at all.

Mr. Evelyn King

Is the Prime Minister aware that, during the week in which a constituent of mine, a courageous prison officer, was killed in the execution of his duty, and before his funeral, the B.B.C. chose to put on in the programme "B.B.C. 3", an item sneering at prison officers in general and accusing them of taking part in bribery? Will the right hon. Gentleman say what protection he is able to offer to such public servants?

The Prime Minister

I was not aware of that particular programme. It has always been ruled, by all parties, that we do not interfere in programmes of the B.B.C. or the other television authorities. The particular tragedy to which the hon. Gentleman refers is one about which all of us would feel sympathy, but I do not think that it arises on this Question.

Mr. Lubbock

Will the Prime Minister see that any correspondence between the broadcasting authorities and the Home Office in relation to the programme "The War Game" is published?

The Prime Minister

I am fully aware of all the circumstances in this matter, and I have been into it very fully. The Government have informed the B.B.C. that we have no observations to make on whether it should be shown or not.

Mr. Bellenger

I recognise the complexities involved in this question, but is my right hon. Friend aware that portions of television programmes are giving affront to many of our people? Will he, in virtue of his prominent position, express his disapproval of some of the obscenities which are being broadcast?

The Prime Minister

Whatever our private feelings—some of us have seen some of these programmes—I do not think that it is right for Ministers to express officially disapproval or approval of individual programmes. There is proper machinery for handling these matters. But this Question relates to the whole problem of censorship, mainly, as I understood it, in relation to stage plays, which all of us recognise as a problem. We are considering how that problem should be dealt with.