Commercial Radio Legislation) (Hansard, 25 June 1973)

§ 10. Mr. Whitehead
asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will introduce legislation to amend Sections 3, 6, 7 and 8 of the Sound Broadcasting Act 1972, following details of the first contracts for commercial radio stations published by the IBA.

§ Sir J. Eden
No, Sir.

§ Mr. Whitehead
Does the Minister agree that the published shareholdings of the first successful contractors for independent broadcasting show that there has not been one departure in either ownership or initiative from the established patterns of the Press and television conglomerates, which are already powerful over these areas? Will he tell the IBA now to abandon the principle of "to him that hath already shall be more given" and go back to the principles of competition to which the Conservative Party paid lip service in the last Election?

§ Sir J. Eden
No, Sir, I do not think that such action would be justified by the earlier decisions that have so far been taken by the IBA. It has been very careful in its interpretation not only of the requirements of the Act but of the spirit in which it was passed.

§ Mr. Proudfoot
Will the Minister look again at the suggestion that the IBA should put these licences out for auction when they have references to the applicants, since then competition would take place?

§ Sir J. Eden
The IBA, as my hon. Friend knows, is empowered, by the terms of the legislation, to issue the licences to those whom it has selected. When the applicant has been chosen the undertakings that the applicant has made will be made known to the public. The way in which this has so far been done does not justify my taking any special action as my hon. Friend recommends.

§ Mr. Golding
Is the Minister aware that, on 22nd April, London Weekend Television invited its audience to participate in its "Golden Girls" competition by 1117 way of coupon in the two London evening papers and that, not satisfied with the boost to sales that that gave, the Evening Standard on 23rd April in its sports edition did not even bother to carry the coupon that had been advertised on London Weekend Television the day before? Is it not wrong that the Press should be able to get away with such behaviour?

§ Sir J. Eden
The hon. Member is clearly raising with me matters that fall within the responsibility of the IBA.