HC Deb 16 March 1970 vol 798 c26
37. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will give further notices to the British Broadcasting Corporation, in pursuance of the licence and agreement, defining more strictly the requirement that it should not broadcast expressions of its own on political matters, in view of recent departures from the notices at present in force.

Mr. Stonehouse

I am satisfied that the present prescription is correct.

Mr. Hamilton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable disquiet among certain of our people in Scotland that there is a very great deal of political bias against this side of the House and in favour of the Opposition? Does he recollect the malicious and inaccurate programme about the Co-operative Movement, which did the movement considerable damage and was not worthy of the B.B.C.?

Mr. Stonehouse

I remember the Millom programme. But it remains the case, and I think that the House would wish it to remain the case, that the B.B.C. must be responsible for its programmes. We cannot allow Ministerial direction to intrude into that responsibility.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Did the right hon. Gentleman see the B.B.C.'s coverage of the Bridgwater by-election, when it was difficult to discover who had won?

Mr. Stonehouse

I am afraid that I did not have the good fortune to see that programme.