HC Deb 05 April 1960 vol 621 cc190-1
40. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now publish the report that he received regarding the practicability of televising the proceedings of the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

No, Sir. The wish of the House seemed to me to be clear, that our proceedings should not be televised. I do not therefore think that any purpose would be served by further consideration of the technical factors.

Mr. Donnelly

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman said that this was a House of Commons matter and accepted it as such, is there any reason to hang on to this report as though it were some dark secret weapon?

The Prime Minister

I made it clear when we discussed the matter that we had a preliminary report as to the kind of thing which would be required, and I gave the House a picture of what it would be. It seems to me hardly worth while to go on with the technical side of it if we have made up our minds not to go on with it at all.