§ Q7. Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to 1133 undertake the review of broadcasting and television.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications said in the debate on 3rd December.—[Vol. 792, c. 1513.]
§ Mr. Stratton MillsAs this review is due within the next year or two, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is thinking on the lines of a Royal Commission to do this work? Secondly, what is the time scale of appointment? Thirdly, will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that there will be on this Commission or body people with experience of television and broadcasting?
§ The Prime MinisterThis is very premature. I have nothing to add to or subtract from what my right hon. Friend said in the debate. I do not think that the form of the inquiry or the personnel fall for early decision.
§ Mr. ManuelIf there is such a review, will my right hon. Friend ascertain why so many Tory politicians broadcast from Ulster but no Labour politicians do so?
§ The Prime MinisterIf I understand my hon. Friend's question aright, it is about Ulster television. I would have to look into that question. But the matter of balance between the political parties whether in Britain or in Northern Ireand is a matter for the Governors of the B.B.C. and for the Independent Television Authority. It would be my view from what I have heard, apart from the question of balance, that during the recent troubles in Northern Ireland the broadcasting authorities have done an extremely good and fair job and have been most helpful in stabilising the situation there.
§ Mrs. EwingWill the Prime Minister review the undemocratic procedures by which political broadcasting is controlled, while it remains uncontrolled by this House and a subject for which there is no Ministerial responsibility?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not sure whether the hon. Lady is referring to the general activities of the B.B.C. itself or to the balance between party political broadcasts. In the second case I do not accept that it is undemocratic or I would look into it. In the first case it 1134 is not infrequent for those who find themselves aggrieved by lack of balance or impartiality by the broadcasting authorities to make their views known. But it is the job of the Governors of the B.B.C. and of the Authority to see that there is proper balance. We wish them good luck in their task.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsWould not my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of setting up a Select Committee to look at current developments in the B.B.C.? Does he realise that there is no one in the Corporation, other than a few leading officials and also members of the Government, who agrees with this policy and that the staff of the B.B.C. is opposed to it? Does not this matter need looking into?
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter was debated on the Foor of the House on a Motion initiated by right hon. Gentlemen opposite. I should not have thought that the result of that debate, even though my hon. Friend seemed to have got lost in the Division, would have endorsed what he said.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsMy right hon. Friend suggested that I got lost in the Division. I should like to correct him on that point. I found my way quite adequately through the Division Lobby in support of the Government's policy.
§ The Prime MinisterIn that case I withdraw what I said about my hon. Friend. I must have been misled by Press anticipation about what he was intending to do. I am afraid that on that occasion I should not have believed what I read in the Press about my hon. Friend, and I hope that this will be so in the future.
§ Mr. HeathAs the Prime Minister was present for part of that debate on radio and television, he knows my view that, as the Charter and legislation to renew the Corporation and Authority is not due until 1976, I agree with him it is premature to consider now the question of a Royal Commission. But would he not also agree that the report published since our debate, showing that the B.B.C. had a deficit of £4½ million in the year to add to the existing deficit of £3½million, shows that the problem of finance for the B.B.C. is as important and as urgent as was emphasised in all parts of the 1135 House during that debate and undoubtedly will lead to a lowering of its standards? Will he therefore arrange for his right hon. Friend to look again at the question as to how the B.B.C. is to maintain its standards if it has to continue for another year in its present position?
§ The Prime MinisterI have noted that point. I have seen the report, and I remember the thoughtful speech made by the right hon. Gentleman in which he supported the decision of the Government to propose an increase in the television licence at the date which we have set. Nothing that has happened since the publication of the report invalidates the calculations we made jointly with the B.B.C. at that time in regard to the matter of finance. There will be a gap for a period. It will be caught up by increasing the licence more than otherwise would have been necessary for the costs of the particular year and the years after which it is increased. With regard to the debate, the right hon. Gentleman did not show the same wholehearted enthusiasm as his friends in the regions in getting into the "gravy" of commercial television.