HC Deb 12 March 1970 vol 797 cc1557-9
Q4. Mrs. Ewing

asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation to make Her Majesty's Government responsible for the organisation of and allocation of time for party political broad- casting, and to provide for an equitable allocation to minority parties.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. By long standing practice this is a matter for the leading political parties and the broadcasting authorities, which endeavour to work out arrangements which are equitable to all concerned, including minority parties.

Mrs. Ewing

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Government are guilty of a breach of promise given by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 14th October in a debate covering this subject of a review? Is he aware that that promise has been broken? Is he aware that this is a breach of democracy in permitting a dangerous vacuum with no Ministerial responsibility over the fundamental matter of use of the mass media for political purposes, which is a breach of Mr. Speaker's recommendation?

The Prime Minister

I do not think it right that there should be Ministerial responsibility in this matter. This is a matter best discussed between the parties and the broadcasting authorities. I am not aware of any breach of democracy, still less of any breach of promise concerning the hon. Lady. I was not sure whether she was referring to General Election timing or broadcasting in the course of an average year, but on the usual basis of relating time to support at the polls, in Britain with a total of 140 minutes of television time a year, the Scots would get less than a minute while the Welsh would have less than half a minute if that mathematical rule applied. In fact they have done rather better.

Mr. Gwynfor Evans

Is the Prime Minister aware that in 1955 a decision by the National Broadcasting Council for Wales to give time to a series of party political broadcasts, including Plaid Cymru, was vetoed by the Postmaster-General? This followed two meetings between the Broadcasting Council and leaders of the parties in London. This intervention by the Government has since governed the situation.

The Prime Minister

I do not know about 1955, but I take no responsibility for the acts of the Postmaster-General at that time. In any case I am sure that it is right, and was then, that these matters should be determined not by the Postmaster-General but by informal arrangements between those concerned and the broadcasting authorities. My impression of Welsh television today does not suggest that either the hon. Gentleman or his party gets an inadequate ratio of time.

Mr. William Hamilton

May I appeal to my right hon. Friend to give more time to the Scottish National Party in order better to explain the contradictions in its policies, and in particular to explain why its economics professionals oppose the aluminium smelter and the motor-car industry being put into Scotland on the ground that they are owned by foreigners?

The Prime Minister

Since I said that there were only 140 minutes altogether, I think the party would need more time to explain those contradictions. If my hon. Friend's account of the policy is correct, the Scottish Nationalists and the Leader of the Opposition are at one in condemning aluminium smelters in Scotland.

Later—

Mrs. Ewing

On a point of order. May I have your guidance, Mr. Speaker? Has not the Prime Minister made an error involving the unwritten constitutional law of the United Kingdom? As it affects the rights of hon. Members, I take this opportunity of raising it.

Does not the precedent of the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Gwynfor Evans) raise a constitutional difficulty in that in 1955 a Minister was responsible for broadcasting? Can the Prime Minister declare that through his will no Minister will be responsible now? Where could this take us?

Parliament must be responsible in this matter through the Representation of the People Acts, which affect the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. How is it that Parliament has not control, that the matter is arranged by the three parties which are above this House?

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is not a matter of order. It is not a constitutional matter. It is a matter which is the practice at the moment. The hon. Lady must seek to change it, but it is not a question of order at all.