HC Deb 19 February 1964 vol 689 cc1198-201
32. Mr. Millan

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he will give a direction to the British Broadcasting Corporation, under Section 14(4) of the Licence and Agreement to refrain from broadcasting sound programmes unsuitable for children between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

33. Mr. Lawson

asked the Postmaster-General if he will direct the British Broadcasting Corporation under the terms of Section 14(4) of the Licence and Agreement to refrain from sending out, in their sound broadcasting service between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m. on any day except Sunday and Saturday, matter that would reasonably be thought inappropriate for children.

34. Mr. Bence

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received respecting the content of radio programmes between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m.; and if he will direct the British Broadcasting Corporation under Section 14(4) of the Licence and Agreement not to broadcast adult material during this period.

44. Mr. Boyden

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give a direction to the British Broadcasting Corporation under Section 14(4) of the Licence and Agreement to refrain from broadcasting adult sound programmes on the Home Service between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

49. Dr. King

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give a direction to the British Broadcasting Corporation under Section 14(4) of the Licence and Agreement to refrain from broadcasting sound programmes designed for adults between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Mr. Bevins

I have received representations from a number of hon. Members on this matter, and I am bringing them to the attention of the B.B.C. I do not think it would be right for me to issue a direction.

Mr. Millan

Is the Postmaster-General aware that considerable public dismay has been expressed about the B.B.C.'s decision to discontinue the broadcasting of Children's Hour? Is there not a matter of pubic interest involved, since this seems to be a question of the B.B.C. deliberately avoiding its obligation towards a genuine minority listening audience? In the circumstances, and considering the fact that some of the information put out by the B.B.C. about this decision has been tendentious in the extreme, will the Postmaster-General intervene to make representations to the B.B.C.?

Mr. Bevins

The view of the B.B.C. is that the audience for Children's Hour on sound radio has dwindled to a very small number—about 24,000, it reckons, compared with about 4½ million who watch television at the same time. What the B.B.C. has in mind to do—it has not actually done so yet—is to devote roughly half an hour to programmes for elderly people between 5 and 6 o'clock and half an hour to programmes which appeal to both children and adults. I realise that there is a certain feeling both in the House and in the country on this matter. While it is only right that I should say that programme planning is a matter for the B.B.C., I am quite sure that the B.B.C. will heed what is being said in this House today. If the House so wishes, I am perfectly willing to discuss this with the chairman of the B.B.C.

Mr. Lawson

Would the Postmaster-General draw to the attention of the B.B.C. the fact that one of the justifications for its existence in the form of a public corporation is that it caters for minority tastes and interests? Will he draw its attention to the fact that we regard the interests and tastes of children as of great importance and wish to see them catered for in the best manner possible?

Mr. Bevins

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Bence

When considering this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that in a large part of Scotland television is not recieved? There is no question of television viewing increasing and radio listening declining because many cannot get T.V. Will he bear in mind that there is this minority in Scotland and in a large part of rural Wales where the only entertainment for children is Children's Hour?

Mr. Bevins

That is one important consideration, and also the fact that in many homes there are not television sets but only sound radio sets. Of course, there is the particular difficulty of blind children.

Mr. Boyden

Surely the right hon. Gentleman will lay particular emphasis on that last point, that blind children will be completely deprived of radio entertainment if this service is not maintained?

Dr. King

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, apart from television programmes, children themselves have opted for the alternative sound programme "Play Time" on the Light Programme? Over 1 million children are listening to that programme today compared with 20,000 who listen to Children's Hour. If that is why the B.B.C. is now choosing this narrow point of time for a programme for old persons, is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that many people who love the Children's Hour programme are worried that programmes of this quality should disappear, whatever happens?

Mr. Bevins

I entirely agree with the hon. Member.

Mrs. Emmet

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this will be a great deprivation for blind children and also sick children in hospital and that this programme has a real therapeutic value?

Mr. Bevins

Yes. I am expressing a purely personal point of view when I say that I should not have thought one can decide these matters purely on the basis of figures and numbers.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, irrespective of listening and viewing figures, many parents of young children consider that the programmes put out on sound radio are superior to those on television?

Mr. Mason

Why has the Postmaster-General not more positive things to say to the House today? Is he aware that the B.B.C. made this announcement more than three weeks ago? Is he aware that there was a Motion on the Order Paper signed by 40 hon. Members and Questions were put down for him to answer a week ago? There was a deluge of letters in the Press and letters to him and to the B.B.C. which have been published. Why has he not made representations to the B.B.C. before he came to the House so that he could positively say that he was intervening on behalf of the House of Commons when there is this public concern? All minorities are being ignored, blind children and people in fringe areas which are not receiving television and those without television sets. Surely the right hon. Gentleman should have used the reserve power to intervene before today?

Mr. Bevins

The short answer is that there are sometimes more effective ways of doing things than that of using a big stick.