Q7. Mr. Handingasked the Prime Minister if he will seek by legislation or amendment to the appropriate charter to put an end to party political broadcasts.
§ The Prime MinisterArrangements for party political broadcasts are to be discussed between the political parties, and I would ask my hon. Friend to await the outcome.
Mr. HandingIn these discussions, will my right hon. Friend put forward the view that broadcasting should be entirely free from any interference and that there should be liberty of the air just as there is liberty of the Press? Will he also resist any attempt to censor the B.B.C. from any quarter?
§ The Prime MinisterThis Question relates to party political broadcasts and not to broadcasts mounted by the B.B.C. or any other broadcasting authority. There is, I think, a growing feeling that the system of party political broadcasts— I am not referring to their content—needs modernising, but this is a matter to be discussed between the parties in the first instance and then with the broadcasting authorities.
§ Mr. EnglishWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the majority of people would prefer to see their politicians in action in this House rather than in set piece political programmes?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand that this is still a matter of controversy. It 940 was debated not long ago and members of the Government are ready to receive representations on the point at any time.