§ Q6. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications at Billingham on 20th November on Northern Ireland represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. WhiteheadWill the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity to put on record, as did one of his junior Ministers earlier in the week, his view that full coverage of the views and opinions of both communities in Northern Ireland and of the security forces in their difficult and dangerous task by the media is indispensable if we are to maintain there the institutions of a free society?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. That point was made forcibly by my right hon. Friend in his speech. It is one with which I fully agree. My right hon. Friend went on to say that he did not think that there could be equality of treatment between the Services and the communities in Northern Ireland and the gunmen and that those who were breaking the law were not entitled to get that treatment.
§ Mr. HordernWill not my right hon. Friend remark on the extraordinary contrast between Senator Kennedy's attitude towards public affairs and his attitude towards private affairs? [HON. MEMBERS: "Disgraceful."] Is my right hon. Friend aware—[HON. MEMBERS: "Sit down."] He has no responsibility—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Hordern) is, of course, responsible for his own supplementary question, but he should be allowed to ask it.
§ Mr. HordernIs my right hon. Friend aware—[Interruption.]—his words have angered—[HON. MEMBERS: "Sit down."]—very many people in this country—[HON. MEMBERS: "Shocking."]—and have caused a considerable degree—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. HordernHis comments have done absolutely no good at all and should be withdrawn. [Interruption.] His attitude is to be universally regretted—[HON. MEMBERS: "Sit down."]—by hon. Members in all parts of the House.
§ The Prime MinisterI have already made plain in the House my views about Senator Kennedy's remarks, and I have no further comment to make.
§ Mr. RoseDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the whole House is shocked by that supplementary question from his hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr. Hordern)? Is the Prime Minister aware of the recent decision of the I.T.A. to refuse a private showing to hon. Members of the film "South of the Border"? As the Authority is ultimately responsible, under the Television Act, to this House, will the right hon. Gentleman urge on the I.T.A. that not members of the Press but hon. Members of this House, who are responsible to their constituents, should have the first priority in viewing this film in order to make a decision and judgment for themselves?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is entirely a matter for the I.T.A. I was not aware that that was the Authority's decision, but I am perfectly prepared to see whether the I.T.A. realises the implications.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasWill my right hon. Friend take note of the fact that in the opinion of some hon. Members the objective standard of reporting on television has much improved since the meeting of the Home Secretary and the heads of the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. in regard to Northern Ireland?
§ The Prime MinisterThe media have a very difficult task to carry out in Northern Ireland and I think that they have been endeavouring to do their best. I agree with the original supplementary question—that the fullest coverage is necessary. At the same time I sometimes feel that when the Forces are asked to operate knowing all the time that the cameras are just over their shoulders, it is an equally difficult task for them. There must, therefore, be a responsible balance struck in this matter.
Mr. OrmesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a minority of 40 per cent. who must be adequately represented 1504 in the reports that are made and that any attempt at censorship which would deprive that minority of being so represented would be deeply resented on this side of the House?
§ The Prime MinisterThere is absolutely no intention of depriving the minority in Northern Ireland of any sort of representation on the media—absolutely none. Indeed I am sure that much the best thing is that they should have the fullest possible coverage. This is, of course, quite different from saying what I think upset many hon. Members and many people in the country, namely, that the I.R.A. should have an equal right to appear on television. That is an entirely different matter. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the answer to his supplementary question must be for both communities in Northern Ireland to have the fullest opportunity in this matter.
§ Mr. ThorpeIn view of the supplementary question asked by his hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr. Hordern), does the Prime Minister agree that one of the great traditions of this House is that, however strongly and violently we may disagree on matters of policy, we do not have to romp around in the gutter to find our arguments?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is not for me to indicate to hon. Members how they should put their supplementary questions. In the last 20 years there have been occasions when what would sometimes be termed personal matters have been dealt with. I think I have made my position clear. Senator Kennedy has commented on public affairs which are the internal affairs of this country. The responsibility for so doing of course rests with him, but when he does that we are entitled to say that we feel that he has not fully understood the problem and that we wish he would do so.