§ Q2. Mr. Jeffrey Archerasked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Belmont, Lincolnshire.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so, Sir.
§ Mr. ArcherDoes the Prime Minister realise that 57 Members of Parliament, 1471 representing nearly 3 million people, are very disturbed by the IBA's decision to transfer Anglia Television to Yorkshire Television? Will he tell the Chairman of the IBA, Lord Aylestone, that ex-Chief Whips must be willing to listen to the views of the people?
§ The Prime MinisterEx-Chief Whips are. Lord Aylestone, as Chairman, and the IBA are responsible for this decision. It is not one in which it would be right for the Government to interfere.
§ Mr. ConcannonIs the Prime Minister aware that there are possibly 1½ million people in Nottinghamshire who are not seriously perturbed about what happens to Belmont as long as they get a fair and decent coverage?
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware that there are differences of opinion about this matter, which have been shown on the Order Paper.
§ Sir D. RentonWill my right hon. Friend tell Lord Aylestone that Anglia Television has successfully fostered the distinctive culture, traditions, economy and life of East Anglia for many years and that it does not wish to be entertained or indoctrinated by a bunch of Yorkshire-men?
§ The Prime MinisterI am certainly well aware now that regional feeling is encouraged by televisison of various kinds. I am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend will inform Lord Aylestone, and that as Chairman of the IBA he will listen.
§ Mr. CroslandThis is not entirely a light-hearted matter. Is the Prime Minister aware that there is an overwhelming consumer demand in eastern England to retain Belmont for Anglia Television': Will he assure the House that the inquiry, to which his right hon. Friend the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications referred in his Press conference on Monday, will fully consider the future of Anglia and that, while this inquiry is persisting, no irrevocable awarding of contracts will be made by the IBA which might pre-empt the results of the inquiry?
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly the study will be set up as soon as possible and will consider the whole of the regional problems which were outlined by my right hon. Friend. This is a matter for the 1472 IBA. It is not treating the matter lightly or frivolously to say so. The IBA has the statutory responsibility, and no Government have interfered in the allocation of contracts of this kind. Therefore, I cannot give an assurance that the IBA will be willing to postpone this matter until the study has reported.