HC Deb 15 December 1965 vol 722 cc1250-2
18. Mr. Dance

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to set up an authority, similar to the Independent Television Authority, with power to control the content of British Broadcasting Corporation programmes.

69. Mr. Shepherd

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to establish an organisation similar to the Press Council which will have the authority to receive, select, consider and pronounce judgment on complaints in respect of all sound and television programmes, and authority to compel the broadcasting of its judgments when, in the opinion of the organisation, this is necessary.

80. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the growing number of obscene, blasphemous and indecent performances on television, he will make it a condition of renewing the Charter of the British Broadcasting Corporation that they appoint a censorship body as is done by the film industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Benn

No, Sir. The governing bodies of both the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. are appointed as public corporations and are entrusted with responsibility for the programme content of their services. They are already under a duty to satisfy themselves that, so far as possible, their programmes do not offend against good taste or decency, nor are offensive to public feeling and they have full powers of control. Both bodies also have Advisory Councils.

Mr. Dance

Why not? Is the Postmaster-General aware of the very salutary effect which the I.T.A. has on commercial television? At present the Board of Governors of the B.B.C. are failing dismally in their duty. In view of public opinion in this matter, will he please change his mind?

Mr. Benn

I very well understand the strong feelings expressed by the hon. Member. For my part, I should greatly welcome an opportunity to debate this matter rather than just discuss it by exchange in this way across the Floor of the House. But with the Board of Governors exercising full responsibility, it is clearly not for me to intervene.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Dempsey.

Mr. Dance

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member may not take that step at this moment because Questions by other hon. Members were answered at the same time as his Question, and his giving notice would prevent them from putting a supplementary question.

Mr. Dempsey

Has my right hon. Friend forgotten that he also refused my request to establish a viewers' council? As the B.B.C. is obviously not exercising these controls, can my right hon. Friend suggest any ways and means to the House whereby the blasphemous, sexy and profane parts of television performances can be removed?

Mr. Benn

Being very well aware of this problem and of the strong feeling aroused by it, as I told the House I asked the B.B.C. and I.T.A. to make a point of bringing to the attention of their Boards of Governors comments made by hon. Members and reported in HANSARD about the quality of their programmes. A number of individual hon. Members and groups make representations. I think that this is the best way of doing it, although in the debate on 13th May, my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council said that the Government were considering proposals for a viewers' council, which is a suggestion which has been made.

Mr. Blackburn

My right hon. Friend said that there was a responsibility for seeing that there was nothing offensive to public taste. Does he not agree that the use of a crucifix as a pipe rack was offensive to public taste?

Mr. Benn

I fully recognise that the incident to which my hon. Friend referred gave very great offence.

Mr. Dance

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I hope to raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.