Q2. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate the ownership of the newspaper industry.
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend's proposal is under urgent consideration, Sir.
Mr. EvansI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. The events in Glasgow this week indicate the urgency of this proposal, but does my right hon. Friend realise that there was grave public 1321 disquiet during the recent election campaign, when it was seen that The Times, The Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, the Sun, the Daily Mail and the Daily Express all lined up with the Tory Party, and only the Daily Mirror reflected the aspirations of the people? Does my right hon. Friend realise that, although it is now leaving the sinking yacht, the British Press should reflect the true opinions and aspirations of the British people?
§ The Prime MinisterI share with my hon. Friend and, I am sure, all hon. Members great anxiety about what has been announced this week in the Scottish newspaper industry. I am meeting representatives of the Scottish TUC this afternoon, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade will meet representatives of the unions concerned and of the employers. On the second point, the most relevant happening at the election, on the question of an inquiry into the newspaper industry, was the fact that on successive days both Aims of Industry and Mr. Briginshaw of NATSOPA wrote to The Times calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry. I should have thought that between Aims of Industry and Mr. Briginshaw there was a fair amount of room for middle-ground opinion.
Mr. Edward TaylorDoes the Prime Minister agree that the economic problems of the regional and Scottish newspapers are too urgent for consideration by a Royal Commission, whose report, in his own words, may take years? Does he accept that the economic problem is serious, and will he pay special attention to the acute problem of the high price of newsprint?
§ The Prime MinisterI agree entirely. That is why, instead of waiting for a Royal Commission on the Scottish problem, I am having a meeting this afternoon at four o'clock, and my right hon. Friend one at, I think, 4.45.
§ Mr. AtkinsonWill the Prime Minister assure the House that when considering the problems suffered by the papers he has mentioned he will consider also the difficulties which the independent newspapers—Labour Weekly, Tribune and the Morning Star—suffer? As a true democrat, will he include Left-wing as well as Right-wing newspapers?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Question is about a Royal Commission. I think that the House is concerned about various aspects of the freedom of the Press. I do not think that it would be right for me, when considering the matter this afternoon, to talk about the problems of individual newspapers.
§ Mr. HeathWhen the Prime Minister considers this matter, will he recognise that there have been two major inquiries into the Press during the past 25 years which have revealed, on each occasion, think, weaknesses of management in the Press and, at the same time, problems of overmanning and restrictive practices? The solution has defied all Governments and those who have been concerned with the matter. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the real question is whether a further Royal Commission is required or whether we ought to address ourselves more vigorously to dealing with the particular problems which affect the economics of the Press, and thus the employment of those who are affected by the position of newspapers such as those in Scotland?
§ The Prime MinisterIf I understand the right hon. Gentleman aright, he is referring to the Shawcross Royal Commission and to the inquiry conducted by the Economist in 1966–67, which certainly showed some horrifying problems in management as well as the other issues he has mentioned. Certainly these are matters to be inquired into, but it has been alleged from different sides of the political spectrum that there are problems about the freedom of the Press, and this also should be inquired into.