HC Deb 26 February 1964 vol 690 cc426-9
22. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the Postmaster-General if, under section 9(2) of the Television Act, 1954, he will require the Independent Television Authority to refrain from broadcasting cigarette advertising.

24. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Postmaster-General if he will request the Independent Television Authority to instruct the programme companies to accept no further advertisements for cigarettes.

25. Mr. Lipton

asked the Postmaster-General if he will use his powers, under Section 9 of the Television Act, 1954, to require the Independent Television Authority not to broadcast cigarette advertising.

Mr. Bevins

No, Sir.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the way in which the Government are encouraging tobacco manufacturers to spend about £4 million a year on television commercials to persuade people to smoke is being widely interpreted, particularly by young people, as casting disbelief on the medical evidence? Will he not now persuade his colleagues and the tobacco companies to take effective action before another Government do so by legislation?

Mr. Bevins

I do not quite understand the hon. Gentleman's reference to another Government. Certainly this Government are not taking steps to encourage people to advertise cigarettes on television or any other media. The Government view on this is that the advertising of cigarettes on television is only one aspect of the general question, and that by far the most important point is that people should understand the dangers to health that may accrue from smoking.

Mr. K. Robinson

Is the Postmaster-General aware that his refusal to take the action suggested in these Questions makes nonsense of the campaign—if one may use the word "campaign"—of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to try to discourage young people from contracting the habit of smoking? Is he further aware that fiddling around with the content of these advertisements or the timing of them is a wholy inadequate substitute for getting rid of them altogether?

Mr. Bevins

I do not quite understand what the hon. Gentleman means by "fiddling around", because the steps which were taken by the Independent Television Authority to eliminate certain types of cigarette advertisements on television were, I thought, generally welcomed on both sides of the House. The present position is that the advertising of cigarettes is now not permitted before 9 o'clock in the evening. The suggestion that the Authority is idle in this matter is quite misleading. The Advertising Advisory Committee, which advises the I.T.A. on these matters, has recently had this subject under consideration. It has not yet come to a final conclusion but is still thinking over the possibilities of suggesting to the I.T.A. some further restrictions.

Mr. K. Robinson

Is the right hon. Gentleman under the impression that all adolescents are in bed by 9 o'clock?

Mr. Bevins

I did not say that and I am certainly not under that impression.

Mr. Lipton

If the whole question of cigarette advertising, its nature, extent and so on is now being considered, will the Postmaster-General bring to the notice of the cigarette manufacturers the very good example followed by Scotch whisky manufacturers of not having any advertisements at all on television?

Mr. Bevins

There are very good reasons why they do not, about which I will tell the hon. Gentleman some time.

Mr. F. Noel-Baker

In view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's replies, I beg to give notice that I will seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

38. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on discussions he has had with the Independent Television Authority Advertising Advisory Committee regarding the banning of cigarette advertisements on television.

Mr. Bevins

I have had no such discussions. The I.T.A. Advertising Advisory Committee is a statutory Committee which advises the I.T.A.

Mr. Allaun

Would it not be a good thing if the Minister had discussions with this body since its decisions are mandatory? Further, does he realise that any proposals which are current for shortening or altering the hours of cigarette advertising are completely unsatisfactory to the 103 Members who have signed the Motion on the Order Paper?

Mr. Bevins

The hon. Gentleman's second point is largely a matter of opinion. What I said in reply was that I have had no discussions with this Committee because I have no standing in relation to it; it advises the Authority, not me.

Mr. Robert Cooke

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the nation's health must come first in this matter? However, will he also bear in mind in coming to any conclusion that cigarette advertising removed from the smaller regional companies would bankrupt many of them and that we should not get the services which many hon. Members require from these companies?

Mr. Bevins

We must keep the matter in perspective. The first point mentioned by my hon. Friend is the most important of all, but there are many other factors which affect the matter.

Mr. Lubbock

Whether the Postmaster-General has any standing on this Advisory Committee or not, does he not see something inconsistent in the fact that many millions of pounds are spent on cigarette advertising while the amount spent by the Government in drawing attention to the dangers involved in smoking is derisory?

Mr. Bevins

I should not say that the Government's efforts in the second category were derisory. In fact, steps are being taken at this moment to step up that campaign.

Mr. Allaun

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us a statement in the near future on this body's discussions, if not with him, then with the chairman?

Mr. Bevins

If the hon. Member tables that Question I will see whether that is possible.