Broadcasting

HC Deb 28 March 1974 vol 871 cc601-2

1. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now set up an inquiry into broadcasting.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr Roy Jenkins)

I hope to make a statement shortly about the Government's policy on the future of broadcasting.

Mr. Whitehead

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Will he bear in mind that it is now over four years since the last Labour Government asked Lord Annan to undertake an inquiry into broadcasting and that in the intervening period concern about the future development of broadcasting has increased and ought now to be diminished by the setting up of an inquiry?

Mr. Jenkins

It is now nearly four years since Ministers have been in a position to ask people officially to undertake inquiries, but I shall bear in mind what my hon. Friend says.

Mr. Gorst

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to a report that a Mr. Lucas is to be the £7,000-a-year managing director of the future Radio Forth, that he has been in the position of investigating applications for local radio franchises in the department of the IBA which appointed the contractors, and that he is now to join the winning contractor? Does the right hon. Gentleman not feel that this is a subject for a broadcasting inquiry to pursue, particularly with regard to the conduct of the IBA as this is a matter which is seemingly improper, if not worse?

Mr. Jenkins

My attention was drawn to the matter literally two minutes ago as I walked into the House. I will study the hon. Gentleman's question, and if he wishes to write further to me on this subject I shall certainly have it investigated and write to him.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

The Home Secretary just mentioned that his attention was drawn to the case a few moments ago. Was his attention drawn to the details of the case which I reported to his private secretary about an hour ago, of the LBC at noon today having a self-confessed safebreaker on the radio, extolling the virtues of his profession and explaining how anyone can mix up nitro-glycerine to blow up safes? Does he not think it deplorable that people like this should speak on the radio, allowing vandals and others to hear such information, and will he take action to prevent it?

Mr. Jenkins

My attention was drawn to a different point which my hon. Friend had raised by telephone this morning. It did not relate to LBC at all. I shall, however, look into the matter which my hon. Friend has raised, just as I shall look into the one raised by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Douglas Henderson

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in setting up an inquiry, take into account the desire of the people of Scotland to have their own broadcasting corporation responsive to Scottish needs?

Mr. Jenkins

I note what the hon. Gentleman says.