HC Deb 19 July 1972 vol 841 c601
14. Mr. Carter

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will list the provisions of the Charter and Licence and Agreement which enable bodies, in addition to Government Departments, to broadcast through the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Sir J. Eden

There are no such provisions.

Mr. Carter

That reply has somewhat stumped me. Will the Minister nevertheless agree that the provisions under which the BBC operates are now being blatantly undermined by commercial organisations which are making a considerable business out of the display of temporary advertisements at venues and events covered by the BBC, thus enabling hundreds of thousands of pounds of virtually free advertising to be obtained? Should not something be done to put a stop to this practice?

Sir J. Eden

That is another question which has been discussed in the House. I have no doubt that the BBC and other broadcasting interests will have taken note of what was said then.