HC Deb 06 July 1970 vol 803 cc320-1
32. Mr. Molloy

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will make a statement on the future of the Annan Committee on Broadcasting.

33. Mr. Golding

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is his policy towards the committees of inquiry established to examine the future of broadcasting, including technical aspects.

Mr. Chataway

I am at present reconsidering whether or not there should be a committee of inquiry into broadcasting.

Mr. Molloy

Would not the Minister perhaps be more honest if he said outright that he intended to do away with the committee because he felt that there was nothing to examine? Will he not agree that it is right and proper for the committee to proceed, because that means a public inquiry at which everyone who is interested can put questions and see what is going on and that there will be no behind-the-scenes negotiating with privileged individuals? Will he not, therefore, give an assurance that the committee will proceed?

Mr. Chataway

No, Sir. I am unable to agree with the hon. Gentleman's arguments, nor am I able to give that assurance.

Mr. Golding

Would the Minister take particular note of the need for an inquiry into the technical aspects of broadcasting and the need to get down transmission costs? Will he bear in mind the great technical developments which have taken place and which lead to an urgent need for inquiry at the present time?

Mr. Chataway

I agree that there is certainly a need to clarify technical developments which are likely to take place, in so far as they can be foreseen, in the post-1976 period. I will certainly bear the matter in mind.

Mr. Stonehouse

Now that the right hon. Gentleman has had an opportunity to see at close hand some of the tremendous technical changes which will take place before the franchises come to an end in six years' time, will he not carefully reconsider giving up the idea of a wholly independent committee of inquiry which will be able to sift these factors and to consider the framework for a very important branch of our society for perhaps the next twenty years? Will he not bear in mind the point that it is important that the survey should be seen to be objective?

Mr. Chataway

When a committee of this kind was announced only two days before the General Election, it is unreasonable for the right hon. Gentleman to expect me within a matter of days to say whether we wish to continue with it.