§ 13. Mr. Jannerasked the Postmaster-General if Her Majesty's Government will give a direction to the British Broadcasting Corporation under Clause 15 (4) of its Licence that during the continuance of the present unrest in the Middle East it shall not show propaganda films produced by one Middle East national containing abuse of another Middle East national.
Dr. HillI assume that the hon. Member has in mind the extract from an Egyptian Government film shown in the B.B.C. Television News on 13th April. I do not think it appropriate to use the powers of direction under Clause 15 (4) of the Licence, as suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. JannerIs the right hon. Gentleman seriously suggesting that official propaganda films abusing the Prime Minister of Israel or of any other country are authorised by him to be shown, and will he go into the matter again because, apart from the generally distasteful nature of this film, it contained abuse of a Prime Minister of a friendly country?
Dr. HillIt is a good sound general principle to leave programme content to the B.B.C. However, in view of the allegation of lack of impartiality in this case, I arranged for my hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General to see a repeat of this film. What happened was that there was an agency film illustrating the events. There was also an Egyptian Government propaganda film. That was put on, as was stated by the announcer, to illustrate the treatment of such incidents by an essentially propaganda film. That is the report which my hon. Friend made to me.
§ Mr. JannerI beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.