HC Deb 23 March 1955 vol 538 cc2052-3
6. Miss Burton

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he has yet made any regulations under Section 7 of the Television Act, 1954, relating to exclusive right.

Sir. E. Boyle

No, Sir.

Miss Burton

Would the hon. Gentleman convey to the Assistant Postmaster-General the fact that we on these benches are afraid that unless he gives effect to this Section there will be a great waste of public money, because the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. will attempt to outbid each other in the events which the public will wish to see?

Sir. E. Boyle

I will convey that view to my hon. Friend. It is my noble Friend's opinion that it is much too soon to think of drafting regulations under this Section. I would point out that under Section 7 (3) of the Television Act any such regulations must be submitted in draft to both Houses of Parliament for approval.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Postmaster-General said something entirely different in the other place? He said that the new Bill provided in part for the impossibility of exclusive rights. Surely they are two different views on this point.

Sir. E. Boyle

I do not see anything inconsistent between that and what I have just said.

Mr. Hobson

Does not the hon. Gentleman think there is definite urgency with regard to the laying of regulations, otherwise we are faced with a monopoly?

Sir. E. Boyle

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. My noble Friend thinks that it is much too soon to be thinking of drafting regulations under this Section. The B.B.C, the I.T.A. and the promoters of events of national interest may very well make voluntary arangements to meet the requirements of the Act; and this would be much better than regulations