§ 14. Mr. Kaufmanasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he next intends to meet the Chairman of the Governors of the BBC.
§ Sir J. EdenShortly, Sir.
§ Mr. KaufmanWhen the right hon. Gentleman next sees the Chairman of the BBC, will he put it to him that free "plugs" on BBC radio for the part-work "The Story of Pop", which put money into the pocket of the British Printing Corporation, not only violates in spirit clause 12 of the BBC Licence and Agreement but is opposite to the way in which the BBC should uphold its integrity against the squalor of commercial radio?
§ Sir J. EdenThe hon. Gentleman kindly sent me a copy of the letter he wrote to the Chairman of the BBC on this matter. I am aware that since then 599 he has had a reply from the Vice-Chairman. I do not think I can usefully add to the full answers he has been given on this point.
Clause 12 of the Licence and Agreement prevents the BBC from broadcasting in return for payment. That does not arise in this case.
§ Mr. WhiteheadDoes the Minister agree that when he next sees the Chairman of the BBC he ought to represent strongly the feeling in the House that what was wrong in BBC television in terms of the agreement with the Time-Life empire is equally wrong in radio in terms of any arrangement with the BPC?
§ Mr. KinnockWhen the Minister sees the chairman, will he raise the question of the informal political censorship which the British Broadcasting Corporation undertakes in regard to radical political television documentaries, especially those made by South Americans, Americans and Swedes? Will he not join me and ask the chairman to join me in congratulating Harlech Television on showing Richard Milhous when every other channel in the country, including the BBC, which is supposed to be independent, refused to do so?
§ Sir J. EdenThat sounds a very generalised comment. I am reluctant to be drawn into matters dealing with the content of particular programmes, for reasons which I am certain the hon. Member will fully understand.