§ 11. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to confer on the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority power to broadcast comment and information more freely than the law at present allows them.
§ Mr. StonehouseNo, Sir.
§ Mr. DavidsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a feeling among current affairs producers that the I.T.A. sometimes acts as an inhibiting influence on them, delaying programmes on matters touching delicately sensitive areas? Would he agree that if there were any basis for that feeling, it would be a thoroughly undesirable state of affairs, because it would place television in a less 637 favourable position than newspapers in being able to comment freely and fairly on matters of public concern?
§ Mr. StonehouseI cannot accept my hon. Friend's premises or his conclusions.
§ Mr. C. PannellDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that the feeling which occurs to my hon. Friend has not occurred to us? Is he aware that we have never known the I.T.A. or the I.T.V. or any of those people to be particularly inhibited when dealing with him or anyone on the Front Bench?
§ Mr. StonehouseWe have a situation in which these T.V. companies can promote some very good programmes. I am not aware that there is any particular restriction on them.