§ 3. Mr. Swinglerasked the Postmaster-General, in view of the public concern about the effects of certain television programmes on children's minds and habits, whether he will consult the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority with a view to introducing amending legislation to effect a censorship comparable with that applied in cinemas.
§ 9. Mr. Cordleasked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to amend the Television Act. 1954, in order to control the content matter of television programmes, in view of the un-Christian and anti-moral nature of many of the plays and their effect upon the increase in crime.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. Reginald Bevins)Both these Questions invite me to consider imposing some form of 1379 censorship over television programmes through new legislation. I do not believe that the House would wish to see so radical a departure from our traditional policy of entrusting responsibility for programme content to the broadcasting authorities. If hon. Members feel that particular programmes are undesirable, I hope they will address complaints to the broadcasting authorities.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs not the Postmaster-General aware that a ridiculous and even farcical situation is developing? Now the Television Authority is displaying at peak family viewing hours films which have been marked by the film censorship with an "X" certificate as unsuitable for children? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that recently in the Midlands some local councils exercised their censorship powers to try to ban the film "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" because of the bedroom scenes and it was promptly shown on Midland Television by the Television Authority? Does not this absurd situation call for some consideration by the Government and the Television Authority of the whole issue of censorship?
§ Mr. BevinsThese Questions invite me to provide censorship not only for films but for television as well. It would be entirely wrong for me to legislate on matters of this kind in advance of the Report of the Pilkington Committee, which has these matters under consideration.
§ Mr. CordleIs my right hon. Friend aware that great concern exists among church and youth leaders who believe that the increase in juvenile delinquency is due in large degree to certain television programmes?
§ Mr. BevinsI am aware of that anxiety, but my view corresponds with that of the Home Secretary. I do not believe that one ought to accept that there is a connection between television programmes and crime.
§ Mr. MayhewWhile the right hon. Gentleman has a strong point, is not the solution not to impose censorship but to ensure that the motivation behind the programmes is genuinely to serve the viewers and not simply to maximise advertising revenues?
§ Mr. BevinsI think that is a rather unfair question, because recently there was a suggestion made to the Independent Television Authority by a programme company that the Graham Greene play "The Complaisant Lover" ought to be shown and the I.T.A. took another view and decided on certain cuts and the author has now sold the rights to the B.B.C.
§ Mr. KershawIs the position not very complicated? Will not the Minister agree that the connection between juvenile deliquency and the sort of things we see on television and films is a matter of great expertise? How can the Postmaster-General be so sure that he has the right answer to it? How can any of us be so sure? Should not this be the subject of some inquiry?
§ Mr. BevinsThat is precisely what it is.
§ Mr. W. R. WilliamsSurely there must be an obligation upon a Minister, who is filling such an important post as the Postmaster-General, to have some regard to the matter my hon. Friend and other Members have raised in the House this afternoon? Does it not make absolute nonsense of censorship of films shown in cinemas if the same sort of thing, or even worse, can be exhibited in the home and become available to millions more than attend the cinema? I am appealing to the right hon. Gentleman to take serious note of what has been said in the House this afternoon and what is being said by serious-minded people who are concerned with the welfare of children. Can he bring the matter very purposefully to the notice of members of the Advisory Council?
§ Mr. BevinsI assure the House that I do not take these questions lightheartedly at all. There is, however, a distinct difference between the showing of films carrying an "X" certificate in the cinema and similar films on television. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"I Because a child is not allowed to see an "X" film in a cinema, whereas if "X" films were to be certificated in the Radio Times or T.V. Times undoubtedly there would be a temptation on the part of some children to see those programmes. At the end of the day I believe all this comes back to the question of parental control in the home.
§ Mr. MayhewOn a point of order, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.
§ 4. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Postmaster-General if he will urgently consider the introduction of legislation to restrict the control by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the television companies over the content of television programmes, in view of the fact that such programmes have endangered the rights of free speech and have influenced municipal and general elections.
§ Mr. BevinsNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIs the Postmaster-General aware of the increasing opinion, which I share, that both on I.T.V. and the B.B.C., when dealing with fundamental questions, the working classes have lost freedom of speech? Is he aware that there is an increasing feeling that both are anti-Labour and anti-working class, and that although he has given the answer "No" today there will be a change in time?
§ Mr. BevinsThe hon. Gentleman knows that the arrangements for political broadcasts flow from arrangements reached between the three major parties and the I.T.A. and B.B.C. Minority points of view can be expressed in T.V. programmes.