§ 8. Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what further requests he has received from the newspaper industry's representatives for a meeting with him as a result of Her Majesty's Government's proposed policy on commercial radio.
§ Mr. ChatawaySince the publication of the White Paper I have received and complied with two requests to meet representatives of the newspaper industry.
§ Mr. EadieWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind when he meets representatives of the newspaper industry, particularly the Newspaper Proprietors Association, that there is grave concern about the prospects of commercial radio and the effects it will have on local newspapers?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe relationships between broadcasting and the Press have 439 been very much borne in mind in framing the proposals in the present legislation. I have had continuous discussions with the newspaper industry in preparing the Bill.
§ Mr. FowlerWill my right hon. Friend recognise that there is concern about the question of news generally, and will he also recognise the importance of commercial radio providing a good news service? Does he not agree that a central news station is the best way of providing such a service, and will he totally disregard the radio Luddites who are trying to stand in the way of this advance?
§ Mr. ChatawayI must not be lured into unnecessarily controversial ground, but I repeat what I have said on a number of occasions: that I attach the greatest importance to a good service of national and local news in the new system.