HC Deb 03 February 1959 vol 599 cc202-3
46. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Prime Minister if he will consult the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Independent Television Authority and other authorities concerned, with a view to arrangements being made so that people can see and hear the proceedings of the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister

I think this is really not a matter for the Government as such. I am not aware of any general desire among hon. Members for the televising of our proceedings.

Mr. Ellis Smith

While not expecting a further reply, may I ask if the Prime Minister will bear in mind that some of us have seen great changes in this House?

Mr. Chetwynd

Not enough.

Mr. Ellis Smith

There was a time when it was beneath the dignity of hon. Members even to agree to amplification, but since then we have seen a very fine television broadcast of the Opening of Parliament. It is to be hoped that the nation will take note of that in order that at least at Question Time, when Parliament is dynamic, the nation can see what is going on.

The Prime Minister

I was very glad indeed that the House, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Party agreed with me that it was desirable to have the Opening of Parliament made available through television to the whole of our people. It was a great historic ceremony and one which I think was eminently suitable. Whether the House would feel that its ordinary proceedings should be so treated is, as I say, not really a matter for the Government but for the House as a whole. I do not know whether Question Time is more dynamic than other times, but I can see the hon. Member's purpose and it would suit Ministers. We could take our pick between "Criss Cross Quiz" and "We Want an Answer". It might help me to discover "What's My Line?", and if you, Mr. Speaker, were agreeable to a sufficient number of supplementary questions, the hon. Member might then be entitled to "Ask Me Another", but I think it is a matter for the House to decide. I should suggest, if it is not being very old-fashioned, that this matter might be discussed through the proper and ordinary channels.

Mr. H. Morrison

Is the Prime Minister aware that his last effort in this matter was not exactly related to the point put by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ellis Smith)? While I have every respect for my hon. Friend, nevertheless there are a number of us on this side of the House who would think it a mistake if the House of Commons were to be broadcast and televised, on the ground that there would be a danger that we should be talking to the microphones and the cameras instead of to each other? Is he aware that some of us think it profoundly important that debate in this House should be debate in this House and not debate on the basis of what the public outside would like?

The Prime Minister

I have every sympathy with that view, but I am bound to say, if I give my personal opinion, that that was exactly the argument which was presented against the publication of HANSARD.