HC Deb 01 November 1955 vol 545 cc844-5
45. Sir R. Boothby

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that information regarding projected Parliamentary business will be withheld by Her Majesty's Government from the British Broadcasting Corporation or the Independent Television Authority until it is announced to the House of Commons.

55. Mr. Edelman

asked the Prime Minister what arrangement exists to inform the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority of the nature of Government business to be transacted in the House 14 days in advance in order that they may be enabled to comply with the direction to refrain from canvassing such business in their broadcasts.

The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden)

As my predecessor in office told the House in February this year, in order that broadcast discussions and ex parte statements may be avoided immediately before a debate in Parliament, Her Majesty's Government are prepared to give what information they can if inquiries are made about the likelihood of a debate within a fortnight on any particular subject.

Sir R. Boothby

Does the Prime Minister's answer mean that he is prepared to give to the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. information which he is not prepared to give to the House?

The Prime Minister

It has long been the practice, and it is now open to any hon. Member, of course, to seek information about future debates. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Of course, it is open to every one in this House, through the usual channels, to seek information, if he can get it, about future debates. It is equally in the power of those authorities, if they wish for information, to ask for it. In point of fact, from time to time they do so. There has been no case of information being volunteered to them.

Mr. Edelman

Would not the Prime Minister agree that all censorship is bad and that an unworkable censorship is the worst of all, since it brings the law into disrepute? In view of the fact that this direction was made behind the back of Parliament, and further that this is the first formal act of political censorship for more than a hundred years, will the Prime Minister not now annul this iniquitous direction?

The Prime Minister

I do not think I could accept the hon. Gentleman's somewhat extravagant statement in regard to this matter. If it is desired to have this matter discussed in the House, approaches can be made through the usual channels. It seems to me that we do not deal with the matter helpfully by using the language of hyperbole.

Mr. T. Williams

Is it not a fact that a hundred years ago there were no such things as the B.B.C. or television?