HC Deb 16 March 1965 vol 708 cc1056-7
10. Mr. Hopkins

asked the Postmaster General if he will give a direction, under Section 14 (4) of the Licence and Agreement, to the British Broadcasting Corporation not to send broadcasts in which matters under controversy are presented in such a way as to allow only one side of the argument to be heard.

8. Mr. Dance

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to require the television authorities to consult representatives of interested industries with a view to avoiding biased presentation in programmes concerning those industries.

Mr. Benn

The B.B.C. governors and members of the I.T.A. have a duty to deal impartially with controversial issues.

Mr. Hopkins

Is the Postmaster-General aware that at Question Time on 19th January the Chancellor of the Exchequer made various remarks critical of building societies and of the Building Societies Association and that a report of these proceedings was given in three separate news items later that day? Although the Building Societies Association has made a reply to the points raised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, no reference was made to this by the B.B.C. In the circumstances, will the Postmaster-General look into the matter?

Mr. Benn

With great respect, it would be difficult and wrong for a political Minister to consider the balance of news items put out by either the B.B.C. or the I.T.A. These authorities try, over a period of time—it cannot always be done in every broadcast—to balance different views, but they are bound to take into account newsworthiness on any particular day. In comparison with the difficulties which do arise from time to time, the difficulties of political interference in an issue of this kind would be infinitely greater.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I accept much of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, but will he agree that the very fact that this matter has been aired in the House will get back to the B.B.C. and may have some effect?

Mr. Benn

Certainly, Sir. Every letter written to me by an hon. Member dealing with matters of this kind is conveyed by me without comment to the B.B.C. or the I.T.A. The boards of governors of the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. have told me that they make a regular practice of studying Questions in the House, and there are other ways open to hon. Members directly, to bring these matters forward.

Mr. Michael Foot

Will my right hon. Friend take into account that all these impartial chairman are on the Conservative side and it would not be a bad thing if the balance were rectified a bit?