§ 19. Mr. Goodhartasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what investigations he is currently sponsoring into the impact of television and broadcasting on behaviour.
§ Mr. ChatawayNone, Sir. I am not persuaded that sponsorship of such investigations by my Department would be justified.
§ Mr. GoodhartIs my right hon. Friend aware of the recent report of the Churches' Committee on Gambling, which points to an alarming increase in compulsive gambling in the last 10 years? Is he further aware that objection is taken to the B.B.C. and I.T.A. repeatedly reporting betting odds during horse racing programmes? If my right hon. Friend does not intend to sponsor an investigation, will he urge the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. to shout the odds a little less loudly?
§ Mr. ChatawayAs my hon. Friend will know, these are matters for the Authority and for the Governors of the B.B.C. However, I shall draw their attention to my hon. Friend's fears.
§ Mr. WhiteheadIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the very extensive 1489 studies which have been carried out, notably by Professor Halloran's unit at Leicester University, have not shown any causal connection between television programmes and behaviour patterns?
§ Mr. ChatawayI should have thought it would be a bold man who stated that there was no such connection.
§ Mr. FowlerIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is particular public concern about the portrayal of violence on television? Does he agree that this is a question not only of research but of day-by-day reviewing of programmes? Is not this another argument for an independent broadcasting council?
§ Mr. ChatawayWhatever the case for an independent broadcasting council, there is no doubt that the two existing authorities take their responsibilities in this respect very seriously. The B.B.C. is revising its code on the treatment of violence and is spending money on internal and independent research, while the I.T.A. has also revised its code and carries out surveys on public reactions to its programmes.