HC Deb 11 March 1959 vol 601 c1243
31. Mr. C. R. Hobson

asked the Postmaster-General if he will move to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the Independent Television Authority and the programme companies.

Mr. Marples

No, Sir.

Mr. C. R. Hobson

Again, in view of the breaches of the Act which are constantly made by the programme companies and condoned by the I.T.A., and the repeated criticisms of hon. Members on both sides of the House, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that we should have a Select Committee, with power to send for papers and persons, to discover the real relationship between the I.T.A. and the programme companies?

Mr. Marples

I cannot accept those assumptions, particularly the suggestion of criticisms from both sides of the House.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a director of one of these companies has publicly said that he regards this attitude as permission to print pound notes—the profits being so exorbitant in television? Should not some of this money go back to the public to develop television services?

Mr. Marples

A great deal of it does go back to the public by way of taxation.