Sponsored Programmes

HC Deb 11 March 1953 vol 512 cc1266-9

15. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General from what newspapers he has received applications for a sponsored television licence.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. David Gammans)

It is for the prospective licensees to disclose their applications, should they wish to do so.

Mr. Fletcher

Since it is well known that certain newspapers are prospective licensees, will the Minister give an assurance that there will be no discrimination among applications on political grounds?

Mr. Gammans

The question of the selection of prospective licensees has not been considered. I can certainly give that assurance.

Mr. Mayhew

Does the hon. Gentleman mean by that that if an application is made by the "Daily Worker," it will be considered equally with an application from the "Daily Telegraph"?

Mr. Osborne

If they pay for it.

Mr. Gammans

All applications will be considered equally.

Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

Did not the Home Secretary in the June debate make it clear that it was the controlling body's job to make recommendations to the Postmaster-General as to the bodies to whom licences should be granted?

Mr. Gammans

That is so.

24. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for permission to provide sponsored television programmes are under consideration; and what opportunities objectors will have of making representations to his Department before any licences are granted.

Mr. Gammans

Forty-six inquiries have been received about licences and 26 about time for sponsored programmes. I have nothing to add to the statement in the White Paper on broadcasting that Parliament will have an opportunity of considering, before the first station is licensed, the terms and conditions under which competitive television will operate.

Mr. Fletcher

Does that mean that Parliament will also have an opportunity of knowing which application is being considered and on what grounds?

Mr. Gammans

Parliament will certainly have an opportunity of knowing to whom licences are given.

Mr. Manuel

What about the objections?

29. Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what proposals have been made to him that the British Broadcasting Corporation should sell the dead hours of its television transmitters to commercial concerns.

Mr. Gammans

The B.B.C. Licence provides that the Corporation shall not engage in commercial broadcasting except with the consent of the Postmaster-General. That consent has not been sought. Any proposal that the B.B.C. should sell television transmitter time to commercial concerns would be a matter for the Governors of the Corporation in the first instance.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Can I take it, then, that the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, in his speech on 13th February, was flying a kite for commercial interests rather than for the Government?

Mr. Osborne

Before this dead time is sold, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that unlimited hours of T.V. would be an unmixed blessing for families with small children?

Hon. Members

A mixed blessing.

Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that when I made my statement on 13th February I was merely reiterating what had already been put before this House from the Government Front Bench during the June debate, and also proclaimed in the White Paper, namely, that we were resolved to see that the B.B.C. public service remains free from advertisements?.

36. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what consultations he has had with organisations representing teachers and parents about the impact on children of commercially-sponsored television programmes.

37. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to ensure that commercially-sponsored television programmes in this country will not contain a disproportionate emphasis on violence and crimes, as occurs in commercially-sponsored television programmes in other countries.

Mr. Gammans

Government policy remains as set out in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the White Paper on Broadcasting (Cmd. 8550). Matters such as those mentioned by the hon. Members will be due for consideration at the time the controlling body is set up.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the hon. Gentleman warning commercial interests who may be contemplating sinking capital in television that if, as seems likely, television is harmful to children, they can expect no mercy from any future Labour Government?

Mr. Gammans

The hon. Gentleman is giving himself shudders unnecessarily over a bogy of his own designing. When he sees the safeguards that the Government propose, he may find himself satisfied.

Sir R. Grimston

When is the controlling body envisaged in paragraph 9 of the White Paper to be set up?

Mr. Gammans

I cannot make a statement on that subject at the moment.

Mr. E. Fletcher

Would it not be much better, in order to allay the widespread suspicion that exists, to set up the controlling body as soon as possible so that they can indicate the conditions under which commercial television will be considered?

Mr. Gammans

I am not in a position to make any statement at the moment about when the controlling body will be set up.

Mr. G. Longden

May I ask my hon. Friend three questions? Firstly, is it suggested that the proposed Press Council should be advised by parents and teachers? Secondly, is my hon. Friend aware that nobody has any idea what commercial television in this country will produce? Thirdly, is he aware that the objections to commercial television are nothing more or less than a laboriously sponsored ramp?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Will the hon. Gentleman advise his noble Friend not to take any steps to expedite the introduction of commercial television until the undertaking of the B.B.C. has been carried out that five low-powered stations will be built?

Mr. Gammans

That is outside the Question on the Order Paper.