HC Deb 07 December 1966 vol 737 cc1325-7
1 and 2. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Postmaster-General (1) when he will make a statement on the White Paper on Broadcasting;

(2) what negotiations he has had with the British Broadcasting Corporation to keep the licence fee at £5 until 1968.

8. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Postmaster-General what progress he has made in his consideration of setting up a Viewers and Listeners Council.

12. Mr. Hamling

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now make a statement on the proposals he will introduce to replace facilities provided by pirate radio stations by balanced programmes of light entertainment to be broadcast under the auspices of a public authority.

23. Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Postmaster-General when he will publish his White Paper on the Government's Broadcasting Policy.

54. Sir B. Janner

asked the Postmaster General when it is now intended to produce the White Paper indicating the Government's future policy with regard to sound broadcasting.

The Postmaster-General (Mr. Edward Short)

With permission I will answer this Question and Questions Nos. 2, 8, 12, 23 and 54 together.

I have nothing to add at present to my reply last week to the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas) and other hon. Gentlemen.—[Vol. 737, c. 454.]

Mr. Stratton Mills

I refer specifically to Question No. 2. Has the right hon. Gentleman studied the Press conference held by Lord Normanbrook and the very different complexion it placed on the then Postmaster-General's remarks of 3rd March? As it is clear that some deal was come to with Lord Normanbrook by the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor to hold the B.B.C. licence fee, would it not be fair that details be given to the House?

Mr. Short

I quite agree. I have seen press reports of the B.B.C. Press conference on publication of its annual report. The whole of the details of the negotiations with the B.B.C. and the financial arrangements at which we have arrived will appear in the White Paper, which will be out very shortly.

Mr. Hambling

I thank my right hon. Friend for his courtesy in writing to me on this subject, but may I ask him, in his proposals, to do nothing to upset the public aspect of radio broadcasting?

Mr. Short

I did give that assurance some time ago to the House and I reaffirm that I shall preserve the public service aspect of sound broadcasting.

Mr. Gilmour

The right hon. Gentleman has refused to give an assurance that the White Paper will be published before the Bill to deal with pirate radio stations is debated, while the Leader of the House has unequivocally given that assurance. Which Minister are we expected to believe?

Mr. Short

I am not responsible for what my right hon. Friend says and he is not responsible for what I say. I simply answer questions put to me.

Mr. Bryan

I know that the Government have had difficulty in forecasting within a year the date of the publication of the White Paper but, as there are only 10 Parliamentary days before Christmas, cannot the right hon. Gentleman name the day?

Mr. Short

I cannot. Printing is a long process but I assure the hon. Gentleman that I will try to keep my promise. I did not give a specific promise on the subject. I said that I would do my best to get it out before the House rises for Christmas.

Sir R. Cary

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, even if the B.B.C. licence were raised to £6, it would still be one of the cheapest in the world?

Mr. Short indicated assent

.