HC Deb 12 May 1971 vol 817 cc350-2
3. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what consultations he has had in the last month with interested parties concerning the introduction of commercial radio.

Mr. Chataway

One, with representatives of the Advertising Standards Authority.

Mr. Hamilton

Why did the right hon. Gentleman make the statement that there would not be a surfeit of "pop" on the commercial radio network? Is it not the case that this is all we shall have?

Mr. Chataway

No. The agreements which govern the broadcast of recorded music make it almost certain that the new commercial stations will not be able to put out as a high a volume of "pop" as Radio One. If it is "pop" music that the hon. Gentleman objects to, I should have thought that that wavelength would be the object of his ire. The programmes which will be broadcast by the commercial stations will, as the White Paper said, have to achieve a better balance than that.

Mr. Mawby

Can my right hon. Friend say what is wrong with "pop" when the B.B.C., in particular, supplies a market which demands it? Does he agree that the Musicians' Union and other interested bodies must be assured that "needle time" will be reduced to a proper level?

Mr. Chataway

I agree with my hon. Friend: I see nothing wrong with "pop". I am rather puzzled by the apparent assumption among Labour Members that sweet music is always to be preferred to "pop"—it is probably something to do with the generation gap. On the question of recorded music, the "needle time" agreements, to which my hon. Friend referred, will have to be a matter for negotiation between the parties concerned.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

Will the right hon. Gentleman take it from me that perhaps my hon. Friends feel, as I do, that there is more money in "pop" than in sweet music? It is very sweet "pop". Now that the right hon. Gentleman has had the opportunity to discuss the White Paper with the Advertising Association, the broadcasting associations and the trade unions, when are we in Parliament likely to be able to make our voices heard? When would the right hon. Gentleman like to hear our views on the important subject of commercial broadcasting?

Mr. Chataway

It is not for me to make announcements about future debates in the House, but my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has made it clear that there will be a debate on this subject in due course.

10. Mr. Dykes

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects to be able to announce a timetable for the establishment of commercial radio in London.

Mr. Chataway

This will not be possible until legislation authorising the provision of the new service has been enacted.

Mr. Dykes

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that, although it may seem surprising to many members of the Opposition, many people in London are looking forward with some anticipation, and indeed eagerness, to the creation of a commercial radio service in Greater London? Therefore, does he not also agree that this should be governed by two important criteria: first, that it should be brought in as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delay; secondly, that there might be another Government look at the proposal for two stations in London to see whether more might not be created?

Mr. Chataway

I take note of what my hon. Friend says and I entirely agree that it is a limited number of people who have an aversion to an enlargement of choice in this matter.

Mr. Whitehead

Could the Minister assure the House that he will drop the proposal, trailed in the White Paper, for a newsvending station operating in London? Will he not accept that the cost of such an operation would demand resources at least equivalent to Independent Television News and an organisation controlled by the I.B.A., just as is I.T.N., and not susceptible to the whims of financial gain?

Mr. Chataway

No, I would not accept any of that. The majority of people involved in radio broadcasting, of whatever kind, are impressed by a number of the all-news stations that operate in the United States. It is not true that radio news is as expensive as television news, and whereas no decisons have been taken about the best source for radio news, this is one suggestion that is worth considering.