§ 46. Mr. Leatherasked the Prime Minister if he will announce the decision of Her Majesty's Government with regard to televising the ceremony of the Opening of Parliament.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
This matter is under consideration and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister hopes to make an announcement before the House rises.
§ Mr. LeatherWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the arguments which are now being dealt with are very similar to those gone through over the televising of the Coronation and, indeed, over the televising of Her Majesty's opening of Parliament in Ottawa a few months ago—and that in each case the decision to televise the ceremony was amply justified by the results, and that in fact a decision to do so in this case would cause great pleasure to the vast majority of our people?
§ Mr. ButlerMy hon. Friend may rest assured that these precedents have been carefully studied, and the resultant conclusion has been registered, but we must also take into consideration the point of view of hon. Members of this House, and of many people who have a different attitude in this matter. The concluding decision will be given after hon. Members—not only among the Opposition but others—have had an opportunity of expressing their opinions.
§ Mr. WoodburnIf a decision is taken to televise the ceremony, would not it be desirable that it should be done in colour, so that the film could go all over the world and be seen with a colourful background? I am not commenting upon the wisdom or otherwise of the decision.
§ Mr. ButlerOne of the problems of colour is the intense heat of the lights which are necessary for any such process. I can give no undertaking that technical considerations would not rule out this medium on this occasion.
§ Sir G. NicholsonWhat steps, if any, is my right hon. Friend taking to find out the opinion of hon. Members?
§ Mr. ButlerI am usually very closely in touch with the views of my hon. and right hon. Friends, and I have been fully informed of them. I have also taken the opportunity to ask the opinion of the Leader of the Opposition, which I hope he will be good enough to give the Government in due course.
§ Mr. V. YatesWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if there are to be any extensions of the B.B.C. or other television services, there would be much resentment if the television cameras were to be turned only on the small clique that seems so far to have been under the influence? [Laughter.]