HC Deb 20 April 1970 vol 800 cc15-7
35. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he is aware that the practice of broadcasting personalised programmes such as "World At One" and "The World This Weekend" in which newscasters give their opinions instead of straight news, enables the British Broadcasting Corporation to avoid the direction given to them to refrain from broadcasting matters expressing the opinion of the corporation on current affairs; and if he will issue a further direction to deal with this.

Mr. Stonehouse

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 16th March.—[Vol. 798, c. 26.]

Mr. King

Is it not a fact that news readers nowadays frequently interrupt the news to give their own opinions and put a personal gloss upon news? Is it not undesirable and, in fact, constitutionally improper of the B.B.C. that an individual chosen behind closed doors should day after day have an audience of millions on which to press his own political philosophy, however worthy it may be?

Mr. Stonehouse

I do not accept what the hon. Member has said. I am sure that the B.B.C. will note any point that is raised in the House. The House would not expect a Minister to attempt to direct the corporation on this matter.

Mr. Winniek

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are B.B.C. programmes to which Left-wing or Right-wing politicians can take exception, hut, in general, would it not be better to allow the B.B.C. to carry out its duties in respect of programmes on radio and television without interference from politicians?

Mr. Stonehouse

I think that that is the position. The B.B.C. has a responsibility put upon it, and it is for the board to carry on that responsibility. It would be most unwise for Ministers, in particular, to attempt to direct the board in the way in which it should do its job.

Dame Irene Ward

Perhaps the Minister would be interested to know that I have just appeared on "The World At One", when I had a wonderful opportunity of slating the present Government. Is he aware that I do not in the least criticise the B.B.C.? I think that it has a jolly difficult job, and if it transgressed against what I thought were the rules of order, I would tell it so myself.

Mr. Stonehouse

I am delighted to know that the balance is being maintained with such weight, and I am only sorry that I missed that particular broadcast.

Mr. Lipton

Speaking seriously, would it not be better to stop all political discussions on T.V. altogether, and leave it to the newspapers to educate the public as to the true facts of life?

Mr. Stonehouse

I honestly believe that the House in general would regard that as a retrograde step.