HC Deb 11 March 1959 vol 601 cc1243-4
32. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Postmaster-General if he has yet ascertained who was the author of the transcription of the programme, "This Week", on 1st January, sent by the Assistant Postmaster-General to the hon. Member for East Woolwich.

Mr. Marples

The Authority tells me that the transcript was provided by Associated Rediffusion.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no serious check on the working of the Television Act is possible unless the monitoring and transcribing of the programmes is done not by the programme contractors themselves, but by I.T.A. officials? Is he aware that when I made a complaint against Associated Rediffusion, all that happened was that the Minister asked I.T.A. to ask Associated Rediffusion for the evidence? Is he aware that when I made that complaint, the Assistant Postmaster-General sent me a document, typed on Ministry paper, which referred to the employees of Associated Rediffusion by their Christian names and which was inaccurate and slovenly in all respects?

Mr. Marples

I believe that the hon. Gentleman has written to my hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General, who is to answer that letter, and we had better wait until the hon. Gentleman has had that answer.