HC Deb 24 June 1963 vol 679 cc947-9
The Minister without Portfolio (Mr. W. F. Deedes)

With permission, I should like to make a short statement.

Last week, the Press Council adopted a revision of its constitution along the lines proposed by the Royal Commission on the Press of 1961–62.

As the Press Council announced in its statement on 19th June, it will in future have an independent and salaried chairman and a further lay element not exceeding 20 per cent, of its voting membership.

The Government welcome the implementation by the Press Council of these recommendations of the Royal Commission.

Mr. Gordon Walker

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who appoints the independent chairman? Is it the newspapers proprietors, and is he in that sense altogether independent? Who pays his salary? Who appoints the lay members? If it is the newspaper proprietors, may I say that, although this is a very welcome further step, there will be widespread doubts whether it has gone far enough to create public confidence in the complete independence of the Press Council.

Mr. Deedes

The appointment of the lay members is done in conjunction between the chairman and the members of the Council. The Council will meet early next month when the next step will be considered. The appointment of the chairman is a matter which the Council has still to consider and it will be seeking the name of a suitable public individual, independent of newspapers, on the lines which the Council has already mentioned.

The finances of the Council have already been arrived at by proportionate contributions by the different constituent bodies of the Council. The arrangements will continue. Although the proprietors pay a large share it is by no means all the revenue of the Council, and I hope that, for reasons which the right hon. Member has in mind, the proportions will be maintained in future.

Mr. Robert Cooke

Will my right hon. Friend recognise that this new, reformed Press Council will be welcome if it achieves anything, because the present Press Council has achieved precisely nothing? Will it be able to look at those restrictive practices which put up the costs of the newspaper industry and make it almost impossible for anyone to start a new newspaper?

Mr. Deedes

As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Council is now reconstituted voluntarily on the lines which the Shawcross Commission recommended. That is the first step. It has also extended the scope of its work, again in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission. The point raised by myhon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Robert Cooke) will be covered by the new constitution.

Mr. Grimond

While welcoming this change of the Council, am I right in thinking that the Minister said that the new chairman will be appointed by the Council? While this certainly is a step in the right direction, will the Minister suggest that the Council might consider having trustees to appoint the chairman as many newspapers have trustees to appoint their editors? Also, is the Council taking steps on the other recommendations of the Shawcross Report, particularly for purposes other than the appointment of the chairman and increased powers to ask for information?

Mr. Deedes

It will be found in the new constitution which the Council has published—and the right hon. Member may have knowledge of the fact—that nearly every point recommended by the Royal Commission has been met.

The question of trustees will, I am sure, be borne in mind. I stress that at the moment all this is being achieved on voluntary lines. I am sure that it would be the wish of the right hon. Member that it should continue on voluntary lines.

The appointment of the chairman is something which I know the Council will consider at an early meeting, which, I think, will take place next month.

Mr. Shinwell

The right hon. Gentleman told us that the Council will appoint the lay members. May we have an assurance that these lay members will not be associated with the Press in any form and that they will be of an independent turn of mind? If not, what purpose will there be in appointing them?

Mr. Deedes

The appointment of the lay members will be considered by the new chairman and the reconstituted Council at an early stage and the chairman's view on this will no doubt be extremely important. I think that I can assure the right hon. Member, in the light of what has been done so far, that the lay members will be truly lay members.

Mr. Shepherd

As the all-important issue here is the quality and independence of the chairman, can my hon. Friend do anything to see that a man of suitable calibre is appointed?

Mr. Deedes

I assure my hon. Friend that the point which he has made is well in the minds of those who are most concerned about it. I have every reason to believe that they will make a wise selection.