HC Deb 14 May 1963 vol 677 cc1126-7
17. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority avoid the continued coincidence of similar programmes on the two channels.

28. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Postmaster-General what further action he intends to take to implement the Government's proposals as outlined in paragraph 40 of the second White Paper on the Report of the Committee on Broadcasting, Command 1893, which deals with the presentation by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority of similar programmes at similar times.

Mr. Bevins

I would refer the hon. Members to the Answer I gave on 7th May to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn). The broadcasting authorities know the Government's views, and I do not think there is a need for further Government action.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Postmaster-General aware that a viewer who wants to escape from, let us say, "Juke Box Jury"—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]—is confronted with an identical programme, "Thank Your Lucky Stars" at the identical time?

Sir C. Osborne

He can switch off.

Mr. Allaun

If, on the other hand, he is the kind of viewer who goes in for this kind of programme he is bound to miss one of them unless he can watch two sets at once. This is applicable to Westerns, thrillers, crime stories, religious and all other programmes. Would the Postmaster-General draw the attention of both authorities to the widespread resentment of viewers that, instead of providing an alternative programme, they are virtually denying it?

Mr. Bevins

As my hon. Friend has suggested, the viewing of television is not yet compulsory in this country. There is, indeed, at times a good deal to be said for genuine competition between B.B.C. and I.T.A. for audiences. I would ask the hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that when the second B.B.C. programme is transmitted there are bound to be in the nature of the case complementary programmes and a greater range of choice.

Mr. Mason

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to what extent he has got agreement on paragraph 40 of the White Paper in question, where the programmes are not in conflict with each other? Has he got the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. to agree?

Mr. Bevins

There have been discussions between the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. on these minority programmes, educational, religious and so forth, and I am quite satisfied that it is ticking along all right.

Mr. Goodhart

Will my right hon. Friend remember that the whole point of television competition was that viewers should have a choice and there can be no choice if there are similar programmes on both channels at the same time?

Mr. Bevins

That is one reason why the Government have authorised the second B.B.C. programme and have not ruled out the possibility of a second independent television programme.