HC Deb 20 March 1957 vol 567 cc370-1
19. Mr. Hannan

asked the Postmaster-General what recent discussions he has had with the British Broadcasting Corporation and Independent Television Authority about television broadcasts of national sporting events throughout the United Kingdom.

Mr. Marples

None, Sir.

Mr. Hannan

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is, for example, that the international football match, England v. Scotland, due to be played at Wembley on 6th April is not to be televised this year, when last year the match was televised from Glasgow? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the B.B.C. is receiving a good deal of misdirected criticism because of this, and can he say what the difficulties are?

Mr. Marples

I have my own personal view as to why, perhaps, it is not being broadcast, and that is that it is fairly certain that the result will not please some Scottish Members of this House. Generally speaking, in any TV programme there are two contracting parties, the organisation running the event and the televising company. I have no control over the organisations running the events. It may be that the Scottish Football Association has its own objections to televising this match. I think that most football clubs consider that the televising of an important soccer match affects the gates at other matches held at the same time. That has nothing to do with me. It is not my responsibility. I do not want to be unhelpful, and if the hon. Member would like to write to me giving the reasons why he thinks the B.B.C. ought to broadcast the match I will forward his letter to the B.B.C. More than that I cannot do.

Mr. Hannan

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the objection which he mentioned is likely to be obviated by the fact that there are likely to be only three or four games in Scotland that day and that most players also are likely to be down here to watch that game? Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the parties concerned to see whether even at this late stage this game can be televised?

Mr. Marples

I have no responsibility for the Scottish Football Association, and the hon. Member really cannot hold me responsible for any views which it may hold.