HC Deb 14 February 1961 vol 634 cc1243-4
45. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to announce the names of the Royal Commission on the Press.

47. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Prime Minister if he will now announce the names of the members of the Royal Commission on the Press.

The Prime Minister

I hope to be able to do so soon.

Mr. Donnelly

Is the Prime Minister aware, first, that in today's Press the name of Lord Shawcross has been suggested as a possible chairman? With all due respect to Lord Shawcross, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the noble Lord is leaving for the United States of America for a long trip? Can anything be done to expedite the meeting of the Royal Commission to get on with this job?

Secondly, in considering the hearing of evidence, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Royal Commission to look into the comparative costs of production and sale of newspapers as between other countries and this country?

The Prime Minister

On the first part of the supplementary question, the hon. Gentleman would not expect me to comment on speculative reports in the Press. On the second part, he has mentioned this fact and it will no doubt be brought to the attention of the Commission.

Mr. Mayhew

Has the Prime Minister seen that the National Union of Journalists has added its weight to the enormous opposition to the going through of the proposed merger between Odhams and the Daily Mirror group? Is he still insisting, not very convincingly, on taking no part in this and doing nothing whatever to discourage it?

The Prime Minister

I think we had this out at some length on Thursday, 9th February, and I would not move from the position which I then took.

Mr. Gaitskell

First, has the Prime Minister decided how many members the Royal Commission is to have? Secondly, will he consider inviting the members to produce an interim report if this seems to them to be desirable in the interests of preventing further amalgamations?

The Prime Minister

I am considering the first part, and I will certainly consider the second.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Will the Prime Minister assure us that he is not asking Mr. Roy Thomson to represent Scotland?

The Prime Minister

I can think of worthier representatives.

48. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Prime Minister how long he anticipates it will be before the Royal Commission on the Press presents its report.

The Prime Minister

I would prefer not to hazard a guess.

Mr. Allaun

As it will clearly be weeks, if not months, before the report is presented, by which time the damage will have been done, will the Prime Minister take another look at the proposal, which is now backed by 30,000 workers at Odhams and the Daily Mirror, that the parties to the deal be asked to hold off pending the report and that, if they ignore this request, any subsequent legislation should be retrospective?

The Prime Minister

I tried the other day to state the reasons why I thought that this was dangerous for the Government and very likely would be quite contrary to the interests of the parties whom the hon. Gentleman wishes to protect.