HC Deb 16 March 1965 vol 708 cc1057-60
14. Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to authorise the setting up of a local broadcasting station in the County of Norfolk.

15. Mr. Peter Walker

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take measures to see that the City of Worcester is provided with a local broadcasting station.

21. Mr. Prior

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to authorise the setting up of a local broadcasting station in Norfolk or Suffolk.

28. Mr. Miscampbell

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take measures to authorise the setting up of a local broadcasting station in Blackpool.

56. Mr. Boston

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for setting up local broadcasting stations; and whether he will now authorise the British Broadcasting Corporation to establish local sound radio stations.

60. Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Postmaster-General whether his plans for local broadcasting in the Greater Manchester area envisage the setting up of a broadcasting station to be run by the local authorities and Manchester University.

Mr. Benn

As I said in Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker) on 5th March, the Governent are considering the general question whether local sound broadcasting should be introduced into the United Kingdom. Until this general question has been decided it will not be possible to evaluate the claims of particular localities.

Mr. Gilmour

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the continuous success of Radio Caroline has already provided abundant evidence of public demand for independent radio services—independent of the B.B.C. monopoly—and that any delay in granting a licence for such stations would be both retrograde and dogmatic?

Mr. Benn

As the hon. Gentleman knows, these pirates are interfering with or stealing wavelengths with reception on the Continent. They are a danger to shipping—we have evidence of that. They are also stealing copyrights of all records they broadcast and stealing the work of those who have made the records and the legitimate business claims of those who manufacture them.

We are considering local broadcasting, particularly in the context of educational development in radio. The hon. Gentleman's own Government, in their White Paper, said that local broadcasting should not have high priority for our national resources.

Mr. Walker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in Worcester, commentaries on county cricket and football matches are already given to all local hospitals? Is it not ridiculous that one should have to go into hospital to hear a commentary on a local cricket match?

Mr. Benn

I should like to examine that service but I imagine that it is by closed circuit and not broadcast.

Mr. Boston

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the fact that he and the Government are considering this matter will give considerable satisfaction? However, in view of the prevarication on this matter, especially by the last Administration, is he aware that it ought not to be left in the air, as it were? Will he give a further undertaking that any consideration of local sound broadcasting will be given to the B.B.C.? Will he give an assurance that there will be no commercial side? Can he give any indication of how long the review will take?

Mr. Benn

There are all sorts of possibilities and it would be wrong to anticipate the findings of the review.

Mr. Paget

In view of what my right hon. Friend has said about Radio Caroline, does he intend to do anything about it? Why cannot he tow her in and then have an Act of Indemnity, if necessary?

Mr. Benn

As my hon. and learned, and gallant Friend knows, the Government have recently signed a convention about Radio Caroline, and so on, at the Council of Europe, and legislation is in preparation.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any instances of the danger to shipping which he has mentioned?

Mr. Benn

I will write to the hon. and learned Gentleman and give them to him, or give them to the House if a Question is put down.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the need to proceed as quickly as possible in this matter and to have special regard to the claims of local authorities and universities and to exclude those who are interested in local broadcasting only for the purpose of private profit seeking?

Mr. Benn

As my hon. Friend knows very well, broadcasting policy is a minefield of special interests. There are all sorts of people, like universities, who hitherto to have not had the chance to show what they can do.

Sir P. Rawlinson

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will look at this matter perfectly fairly from every point of view in order to provide the best choice possible for the people who listen to the radio?

Mr. Benn

We certainly shall be and are ready to receive suggestions from all quarters. May I congratulate the right hon. and learned Gentleman on his maiden appearance at the Box? I think that he is the third shadow Postmaster-General since the election.