HC Deb 19 February 1973 vol 851 cc10-2
10. Mr. Golding

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will now establish a committee of inquiry into broadcasting.

17. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he now expects to reply to the Report of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries recommending that there should be an inquiry into broadcasting.

Sir J. Eden

I have nothing to add to the answers I gave on 7th February to the hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Dormand).—[Vol. 850, c. 443–4.]

Mr. Golding

Is the Minister aware that the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries recommended that the fourth channel should not be allocated until after an inquiry into the future of broadcasting? Will he give the House an assurance that the fourth channel will not be allocated until after such an inquiry, and will he bear in mind that an inquiry into the future of broadcasting is very urgent? The right hon. Gentleman's predecessor told us over a long period that it was too early for such an inquiry, and we do not want to be told now that it is too late.

Sir J. Eden

I am aware of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, to which a Government reply will be made very soon.

Mr. Fowler

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the considerable support that exists for the setting up of an independent broadcasting council to hear complaints from the public, and that many people regard this as an urgent matter? If an inquiry is set up, will my right hon. Friend undertake that this subject will be within its terms of reference?

Sir J. Eden

That is another question. It asks me for detailed matters concerning an inquiry and does not arise directly from the Question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Whitehead

For the last six months the Minister's advisers have let it be known that they were awaiting the Cockburn Committee's report before a decision was taken on the setting up of an inquiry. As the Cockburn Committee has now reported and made its slender observations available to the Minister, is it not inexcusable that there should be further delay in setting up an inquiry?

Sir J. Eden

There is no delay. The answers to the recommendations of the Select Committee will be announced shortly.

Mr. David Steel

Will the Minister give the House an assurance that there will be no question of extending the charter of the BBC for another five years beyond 1976 without such an inquiry as is asked for in the Question?

Sir J. Eden

These are all matters which fall within the general context of the reply to be given to the Select Committee's recommendations.

Mr. John Grant

Has the Minister noted that there has been a great deal of inspired Press speculation about his intentions on the holding of an inquiry? It is high time that he put the House in the picture and put his cards on the table, in particular in connection with what my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Golding) said about the fourth channel. Unless he can give us an assurance in the matter the Opposition will certainly not be bound by any decision made by the Government, and will reconsider the whole question when we take office after the next election.

Sir J. Eden

I have seen the letter over the hon. Gentleman's signature which appeared in a certain newspaper, in which he forecast what he has just said.