HC Deb 21 June 1967 vol 748 c1674

Lords Amendment: No. 1, in page 5, line 32, leave out paragraph (f) and insert: (f) publishing the times or other details of any broadcasts which are to be so made, or (otherwise than by publishing such details) publishing an advertisement of matter calculated to promote, directly or indirectly, the interests of a business whose activities consist in or include the operation of a station from which broadcasts are or are to be so made.

12.15 p.m.

The Postmaster-General (Mr. Edward Short)

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

We discussed this paragraph, which deals with advertisements, at length in Committee and on Report. I explained that it was intended to catch advertisements for the pirate stations, including the publication of information about future pirate broadcasts, but that it would not penalise genuine editorial comment about pirate broadcasting. This Amendment is the outcome of the discussion on the subject in another place and expresses the Government's intentions in the appropriate phraseology. I am grateful to the noble Lords who co-operated in its drafting.

My hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mr. Rowland) had some doubts about the appropriateness of the original wording and I am sure that he will be interested in the outcome. I am sure that my hon. Friends and hon. Members opposite will welcome this definition of the word "advertisement".

Question put and agreed to.