HC Deb 03 December 1970 vol 807 cc1454-5
28. Mr. St. John-Stevas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement of policy on his Department's study together with the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority on the subject of violence on television.

Mr. Maudling

With my right hon. Friend the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications and my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office, I recently met the Chairmen of the B.B.C. and I.T.A. and was given an account of new machinery set up by each Authority with a view to strengthening arrangements for keeping the portrayal of violence on television under close control. I stressed my concern at the possible adverse effects of excessive violence on television, and I welcome the initiative taken by each Authority in setting up these arrangements, the operation of which I shall watch with interest.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Does the Home Secretary realise that that statement will be very welcome in all parts of the House? Could he do something further to help by publishing a White Paper and collating the various investigations that have been carried out into the effects of violence on television in order to decrease public confusion in this matter?

Mr. Maudling

I will certainly consider that, but the fact is that investigations so far have produced very little in the way of concrete conclusions. It is a very baffling problem indeed.

Mr. Callaghan

I welcome the Home Secretary's statement. This is a subject in which it is difficult to arrive at conclusions, but there is clearly a need for a continual and close watch on the activities of both the television authorities on the matter of violence. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider the suggestion of the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas), which I support, that a White Paper should be issued not only covering the existing state of studies but also containing the codes, which are not very well known, under which both authorities work, so that the public may know that the authorities themselves are observing the codes which they have laid down?

Mr. Maudling

I will certainly consider that, and I am grateful for the right hon. Gentleman's support in my concern about this matter. Frankly, I am entirely following the lead that was taken by the right hon. Gentleman.