HC Deb 08 November 1972 vol 845 cc977-80
2. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will now make a statement on the inquiry to be set up on the future of the British Broadcasting Corporation after 1976.

16. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will now announce a comprehensive inquiry into broadcasting, bearing in mind Recommendation 29 of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries Report on the Independent Broadcasting Authority.

19. Mr. Golding

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will now establish an inquiry into the future of broadcasting.

25. Sir G. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether, in considering the establishment of a committee on the British Broadcasting Corporation after 1976, he will have regard to Sir Hugh Carleton Greene's Granada Lecture, a copy of which is in his possession.

Sir J. Eden

No decision has yet been taken about an inquiry. I am considering the recommendations of the Select Committee and the other views expressed on this subject.

Mr. Hamilton

Will the Minister realise that there has been far too much delay in coming to a firm decision on this question? Will he accept that the principle is sound, and that the equivalent of a Royal Commission on this question is extremely important? If it is to be of that stature, the sooner it is appointed the better. In view of the eulogising, quite rightly, of the BBC on its jubilee by the Prime Minister, among others, will he not expedite this process and let us have a firm decision soon?

Sir J. Eden

I take note of the hon. Gentleman's views. As he will recognise, there is a number of alternative ways in which one could proceed. These are still under consideration by the Government.

Mr. Whitehead

In view of the tact not only that the Select Committee, after exhaustive analysis, has recommended an inquiry, but also that the directors-general of the two broadcasting authorities are now on public record as saying that they would accept and welcome it, what further information does the Minister want before he sets it up? If it is the Technical Advisory Committee report, will he not publish this forthwith and come to his decision?

Sir J. Eden

I am, of course, grateful to the Select Committee for its work. I am studying its report with a good deal of interest. My reply to the report will be given in due course.

Mr. Jessel

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is considerable public concern about the vulgarity contained in some television programmes? Will he take this public feeling into account when considering the future constitution of the BBC?

Sir J. Eden

The views which my hon. Friend has expressed should properly be directed to the broadcasting authorities, since they are responsible for the content of programmes.

Mr. Golding

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Select Committee stressed the importance of taking a decision as quickly as possible because of the time limits involved? Is he also aware that the experience of the Select Committee was that it is very important that any inquiry be such that those working in broadcasting have the fullest opportunity to put their point of view as to what the structure should be after 1976?

Sir J. Eden

Of course, if there were a full-scale inquiry anyone interested in these matters would be able to put his point of view.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

Will the Minister bear in mind that we on this side—now, we feel, joined by many hon. Members on the Government side—would still like this broadly-based full inquiry into broadcasting? He will also have noticed that there has recently been a canvassing of the idea that this inquiry should be set up after 1977, with a view to extending the BBC licence and the television franchises? Will he knock this idea on the head right away?

Sir J. Eden

That last point is similar to the views put forward by Sir Hugh Carleton Greene recently, which relate to the progress which is likely to be achieved in technical developments. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I am awaiting a report from my technical advisory committee which will have some bearing on this matter.

14. Mr. David Steel

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what consultations he has had with the Inde- pendent Broadcasting Association on the new code of advertising; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the working of the General Advisory Councils of the Independent Broadcasting Authority and the British Broadcasting Corporation prior to the forthcoming revision of broadcasting structure.

Sir J. Eden

I was consulted prior to the publication by the Independent Broadcasting Authority of its new code. The idea of an inquiry into the working of the general advisory councils is part of the wider question of a possible inquiry to consider broadcasting after 1976; and I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion in that context.

Mr. Steel

Will the Minister say whether in his consultations with the IBA he consulted the Secretary of State for Social Services before the IBA published a continuing ban on the advertising of contraception? Why was this allowed to be issued when the matter was still under discussion by the IBA Advisory Council?

Sir J. Eden

My consultations were of a fairly general nature. Specific examples, to one of which the hon. Gentleman has referred, were largely a matter for interpretation by the IBA.

Mr. Whitehead

In view of the Minister's first answer, should there be a long-range inquiry will he consider the very real reservations that members of the advisory councils of the IBA and also the BBC have about the limited powers open to them, in that they are either ignored or, if they are not prepared to be supine, they must make a gesture such as resignation to make their point?

Sir J. Eden

Yes, but it is still a matter for the IBA collectively to determine the exact code of rules which should be observed.