HC Deb 11 May 1960 vol 623 cc394-5
16. Sir R. Grimston

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will direct the British Broadcasting Corporation to refrain from broadcasting programmes referring to the financial arrangements of United Kingdom commercial television organisations.

Mr. Bevins

No, Sir. I understand from the British Broadcasting Corporation that no such programme is in view.

Sir R. Grimston

In view of that reply, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend has made any inquiries why the B.B.C. is carrying out an investigation into these matters, as reported, and, if it is not for the production of programmes, is the Corporation in order in spending licence money upon this sort of thing?

Mr. Bevins

When I saw the Press report on this matter, I naturally made some inquiries. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] The first question to which I addressed my mind was whether this inquiry was within the B.B.C.'s powers. I think it is perfectly clear that the B.B.C. under paragraph (3, x), of its Charter, is entitled— To do all such things as the Corporation may consider incidental or conducive to the attainment of any of the objects in the Charter, and those objects include the provision to other bodies of matter for broadcasting and the production of films for broadcasting. As to the propriety of the B.B.C.'s action, I have discussed that with the B.B.C, and the Corporation tells me that it naturally wishes to be well informed about the position of its competitors, and it considers that it is particularly important to have this information in regard to the selling of films to American exhibitors.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is not this a case where the right hon. Gentleman's logrolling friends are seeking to protect commercial television, and will he do nothing to prevent the B.B.C. from discharging its responsibilities under the Charter, as it has done?

Mr. Bevins

I think my hon. Friend was disquieted by the report that appeared in one of the national newspapers, which was, I think and as the House will have seen, later amended in a short official statement later put out by the B.B.C.

Sir R. Grimston

Will my right hon. Friend take note that I object to this accusation of log rolling? If the B.B.C. is doing this simply to build up a case for itself in order to get the available channels, that is not a purpose for which it should be using licence money.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this Question suggests that the companies concerned clearly have something which they think ought to be hidden?

Mr. Bevins

It is not for me to answer a supplementary question of that sort. That is not a question for the Postmaster-General at all.

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