§ Q3. Mr. Hamlingasked the Prime Minister what further consideration he has given to the abolition of censorship of stage and television productions.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government are considering how best the law relating to censorship of stage plays might be reviewed.
§ Mr. HamlingIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is disquiet in some circles not only about the activities of some busybodies but also about Government interference in certain programmes——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not wait for his applause but will get on with his supplementary question.
§ Mr. HamlingIs the Prime Minister aware that there is alarm not only about the activities of some busybodies but also about Government interference in programmes, particularly in relation to the programme "The War Game"?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have not interfered in any way with stage plays or with any of these programmes. 1230 As regards rumours about "The War Game", the Government have not interfered at all.
§ Mr. Evelyn KingIs the Prime Minister aware that, during the week in which a constituent of mine, a courageous prison officer, was killed in the execution of his duty, and before his funeral, the B.B.C. chose to put on in the programme "B.B.C. 3", an item sneering at prison officers in general and accusing them of taking part in bribery? Will the right hon. Gentleman say what protection he is able to offer to such public servants?
§ The Prime MinisterI was not aware of that particular programme. It has always been ruled, by all parties, that we do not interfere in programmes of the B.B.C. or the other television authorities. The particular tragedy to which the hon. Gentleman refers is one about which all of us would feel sympathy, but I do not think that it arises on this Question.
§ Mr. LubbockWill the Prime Minister see that any correspondence between the broadcasting authorities and the Home Office in relation to the programme "The War Game" is published?
§ The Prime MinisterI am fully aware of all the circumstances in this matter, and I have been into it very fully. The Government have informed the B.B.C. that we have no observations to make on whether it should be shown or not.
§ Mr. BellengerI recognise the complexities involved in this question, but is my right hon. Friend aware that portions of television programmes are giving affront to many of our people? Will he, in virtue of his prominent position, express his disapproval of some of the obscenities which are being broadcast?
§ The Prime MinisterWhatever our private feelings—some of us have seen some of these programmes—I do not think that it is right for Ministers to express officially disapproval or approval of individual programmes. There is proper machinery for handling these matters. But this Question relates to the whole problem of censorship, mainly, as I understood it, in relation to stage plays, which all of us recognise as a problem. We are considering how that problem should be dealt with.