HC Deb 19 February 1959 vol 600 cc525-7
23. Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from police forces under his control concerning the undesirable influence of television programmes which illustrate the detailed methods of criminals engaged in crime, and of the police in securing their detection.

Mr. R. A. Butler

While I have received no formal representations on this subject, I am aware that it has given rise to concern in the minds of some police officers. If the hon. Member has some specific case in mind, he might like to bring it to my attention.

Mr. Edelman

Is it not the experience of all who watch commercial television that crime and criminals are constantly being presented in a glamorised form? Is it not the case that this embellishment of crime without any genuine artistic or moral purpose can be as corrupting to immature minds as pornography? In these circumstances, and in view of the complaint in particular of the Police Gazette, will not the right hon. Gentleman bring the matter to the attention of the Independent Television Authority to ascertain whether the provisions of the Television Act have been complied with?

Mr. Butler

Certainly, because this is a powerful medium. We must also remember that both the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. have been of great assistance to us with publicity for the detection of crime. Therefore, what I should like to do is to obtain examples of particular instances. I have ascertained that no particular case has been brought to our attention. If, however, there were any instance and I could isolate it, we would certainly take it up with the authorities concerned.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

My hon. Friend's Question refers to police forces under the control of the Home Secretary. Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us which police forces in the provinces outside the Metropolitan area he regards as strictly under his control?

Mr. Butler

I always preserve an entirely constitutional attitude to all matters. I am solely concerned in regard to control in relation to the Metropolitan Police and not in relation to other police forces. My relations are, I think, well known.

Mr. Greenwood

So we may take it that the right hon. Gentleman's Answer referred only to the Metropolitan area?

24. Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases television companies have sought the advice either of his Department or of police authorities under his control in connection with programmes dealing with methods employed by the police or by criminals; which were the companies; and with relation to which programmes the inquiries were made.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Both the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police receive requests for technical advice from time to time from the British Broadcasting Corporation and independent television companies; but there is no complete record of these requests.

Mr. Edelman

Will the Home Secretary say whether the advisers from the police force advise in their capacity as Government officials, or as private fee-receiving consultants?

Mr. Butler

No; I could not give an immediate answer to that supplementary question without consideration.