HC Deb 03 November 1954 vol 532 cc363-4
10. Mr. Chapman

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what rules have been agreed under Schedule II of the Television Act, 1954, with the Independent Television Authority as to the interval which must elapse between periods of advertisements in the Authority's programmes, and as to the classes of broadcasts in which advertisements may not be inserted.

33. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what discussions he has had with the Independent Television Authority regarding the classes and descriptions of goods and services which must not be advertised on commercial television.

Mr. Gammans

None, Sir. Discussions will take place as soon as the Independent Television Authority is in a position to submit proposals.

Mr. Chapman

How can the programme contractors offer even to provide programmes if they do not as yet know how many minutes they will be allowed in the way of advertisement time? How is the whole set-up being managed in the absence of these rules?

Mr. Gammans

The question of contracts is a matter for the Independent Television Authority, and no doubt the programme contractors have assumed that normal advertising practice will prevail.

Mr. Mayhew

With regard to the classes of advertisements permitted, what will the Minister recommend about advertisements of newspapers, and particularly Conservative newspapers, which in this shameful way may control a large part of this system?

Mr. Gammans

The hon. Gentleman asks me to prejudge the discussions which the I.T.A. will have with my noble Friend.

Mr. Callaghan

So far as Question No. 33 is concerned, will the Minister give us an assurance that Mr. Woolfson will not be able to get a monopoly control for the advertisement of his own furniture stores.

Mr. Gammans

The question of the selection of programme contractors has nothing to do with my noble Friend.

Mr. Callaghan

That is not the point. Will the Government give us an undertaking that no one financial backer who has large industrial or retail interests will have a monopoly for the advertisement of his own wares?

Mr. Gammans

That is already provided for in the Act.