HC Deb 18 March 1974 vol 870 cc665-6
45. Mr. Kinnock

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement about his policy towards radio or television broadcasting of the activities of the House.

Mr. Short

This must be a matter for the House to decide. We shall need to establish whether this Parliament shares the views of its predecessors in this respect.

Mr. Kinnock

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. I know that the House will decide on such an issue, but it will value my right hon. Friend's opinion and guidance when, I hope in the very near future, we have the opportunity to offer an opinion, especially about radio broadcasting of the activities of the House, as none of the objections—real or imagined—to television broadcasting could conceivably apply to a radio microphone in the House.

Mr. Short

Each Parliament usually contrives an opportunity to decide on the matter, and no doubt this Parliament will do so as well.

Mr. Steel

Will the right hon. Gentleman note that the House never had a chance to vote on the radio proposals put forward in a previous Parliament, and that it might be useful to resurrect them?

Mr. Short

I am willing to listen to the opinions of any hon. Members on the subject if they care to talk to me about it. If it is the general view of the House that there should be an opportunity to reconsider the matter, I shall be glad to try to find an opportunity.

Mr. English

In support of my colleagues on both sides of the House, may I point out to my right hon. Friend that although several of us suggested to one of his predecessors—the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Whitelaw)—that radio should be tried, if not television, the matter was never put before the House in that way, although an experiment in radio broadcasting has been conducted by the House, and one would think that that experiment should be followed up?

Mr. Short

I agree that it is a matter that should be kept constantly under review. If it is the general wish of the House to have an opportunity to decide radio and television separately, I shall be glad to consider that.