HC Deb 10 January 1977 vol 923 cc1051-2
Mr. Speaker

I wish to make a statement.

I said on 22nd December last that I would, after consideration, make a further statement to the House about televising the State Opening of Parliament.

As the House knows, the ceremony was televised on three previous occasions, namely in 1966, 1970 and 1974. In 1966 consultation took place through the usual channels, and the matter was considered by the Services Committee: following this, the House was informed by way of a Written Answer. In 1970 the procedure was similar, the announcement appearing in a Written Answer on 29th May. In 1974, since the House was in dissolution at the material time, authority was given by Mr. Speaker following consultation through the usual channels.

I have considered the submission by the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Mawby) that, as regards the televising of the ceremony in 1976, the situation had been changed by the debate which took place on 24th February 1975. I can find nothing to substantiate this view. The motion upon which the debate took place was That this House authorises an experiment in the public broadcasting of its proceedings by television, to be held in accordance with conditions approved by the Select Committee on House of Commons Services. As the House knows, the motion was defeated by 275 votes to 263, and accordingly no experiment took place. My judgment is that this left the situation exactly where it had been in 1966, 1970 and 1974, on which occasions—with the agreement of the House—televising of the State Opening was permitted, the decision in each case having been taken ad hoc, and in no way on an experimental basis. I cannot accept that a decision of the House on the limited issue of experi- mental broadcasting in any way fettered the freedom of the House—given the agreement of all concerned—to authorise televising the State Opening ceremony on any individual future occasion.

On this basis the sole point for consideration is whether, on any future occasion on which the House is sitting when a decision of this kind needs to be taken, the earlier arrangements for consultation and notification to the House should be followed, or whether something more formal is needed—for example, a resolution by the House on a motion tabled by the Government. I regard this as a matter for discussion through the usual channels.

Mr. Mawby

I am very grateful for the close consideration which you have given to the point of order which I raised, Mr. Speaker. I do not propose to say any more about it and I will rely on the sense of the usual channels should this ever happen again.

Mr. Speaker

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman.