§ 12. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what communications he has received relating to his powers under the Television Act, 1964, and the British Broadcasting Corporation Licence and Agreement concerning the transmission of special public announcements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir J. EdenNone relating to my powers; but both the BBC and the ITA have kept me informed of their views on broadcasting announcements about the ballot organised by the Commission for Industrial Relations.
§ Mr. WhiteheadIn that case may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that an attempt was made by a third party organisation to have transmitted supposed public service announcements which would have been both tendentious and highly political? Will he confirm that it is the firm policy of Her Majesty's Government not to encourage requests of that kind?
§ Sir J. EdenAs the commission is an independent body the Government are not directly involved in this matter, and it was therefore proper for the ITA and the BBC together to resolve any problem that might have arisen.