§ 55. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Postmaster-General what directions he has given to the British Broadcasting Corporation under Article 16 (4) of the Licence and to the Independent Television Authority under Section 9 (2) of the Television Act, with regard to the broadcasting of defined types of children's programmes.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Kenneth Thompson)None, Sir. Programme content is a matter for the broadcasting authorities: and the B.B.C. and I.T.A. have already announced that they have set up a joint committee, under the Chairmanship of Miss May O'Connor, to consider the recommendations of the Nuffield Foundation Report on "Television and the Child". A copy of this report is available in the Library.
§ Mr. AllaunWill the Minister ask the B.B.C. or the I.T.A., or this new Committee, to consider labelling programmes between 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock in the Radio Times or T.V. Times either as "U", "A" or "X" in order to indicate to parents the suitability of those programmes?
§ Mr. ThompsonThe hon. Gentleman will be conscious of the difficulty of pursuing a policy of that kind, but I am sure that both authorities will take note of the suggestion he has made.