HC Deb 19 April 1972 vol 835 c489
14. Mr. Winterton

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what progress he is making in his consultations regarding a new Chairman of the Governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Sir J. Eden

I have nothing to add to the reply of 22nd March given by my predecessor to the hon. Members for Rugby (Mr. William Price) and Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead).—[Vol. 833, c. 1480.]

Mr. Winterton

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the senior management and the Governors of the BBC should show more concern for the content and presentation of BBC programmes? I believe that this was clearly not the case with the "British Empire" series. Would my right hon. Friend further agree that they should show much more concern for this in the future?

Sir J. Eden

As my hon. Friend knows, it is the Chairman and Governors who have ultimate responsibility not only for running the corporation but also for acting as trustees for the public. While I recognise that there will be individual programmes which may cause public disquiet, it is for the public to express these views to the corporation and to the authorities concerned.