Confidential Interviews and Broadcasting Libels (Hansard, 6 April 1967)

§ 19. Mr. Tomney
asked the Postmaster-General if he will direct the British Broadcasting Corporation to refrain from sending current affairs features containing interviews given in confidence or obtained by the use of concealed recording devices.

§ 21. Sir C. Black
asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the heavy damages the British Broadcasting Corporation has had to pay to settle an action for damages brought against it by Mr. Emile Littler, if he will issue a direction to the Corporation to refrain from broadcasting libels.

§ Mr. Joseph Slater
No, Sir. These are matters of programme content for which the broadcasting authorities are wholly responsible.

§ Mr. Tomney
Is my hon. Friend aware that the true facts leave a very bad taste in the mouth from the point of view of the B.B.C.? The BBC. was granted permission and facilities by the Hammersmith Borough Council for a sequel to "Cathy Come Home". There was no implied acceptance or otherwise that recordings of a confidential nature would or should be used, but in its researches the B.B.C. selected six families, one of which was in arrear in the payment of rent to the extent of £65 in respect of private furnished accommodation. It is the policy of the Greater London Council not to rehouse families which are in arrears in rent. As a consequence, furtive suggestions were put to the woman concerned that the B.B.C. would discharge her contract if she would take part in the programme, and in confidential interviews with the—[Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. Questions must be reasonably short.

§ Mr. Tomney
This is a very important matter, Mr. Speaker, which affects every professional body.

§ Mr. Speaker
Every Question is important to the hon. Member who asks it.

§ Mr. Tomney
As a consequence the B.B.C. secreted transmitting equipment upon this person and monitored to a taxi-cab in an adjacent street details of private conversations, causing great concern—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I must treat all Members alike.

§ Mr. Slater
I am given to understand that the B.B.C. gave the town clerk an immediate assurance that the recording would not be broadcast, and that it was not used when the programme in question was later broadcast. I have nothing further to add.

§ Mr. Tomney
On a point of order. I beg to give notice that owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the programme—[Laughter.]—of the answer—and both words are correct—I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.