HC Deb 06 April 1978 vol 947 cc610-1
2. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now able to say when he expects to publish the White Paper on broadcasting.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Merlyn Rees)

I am still considering the Annan Committee's report and the comments that I have received on it. The report raises many important and complex issues and I am not yet able to say when the White Paper setting out the Government's proposals will be ready for presentation.

Mr. Whitehead

I appreciate that, but does my right hon. Friend agree that it is now over a year since the Annan Report was published and that every month that goes by without decisions makes easier the task of the slick and well-financed lobby for an ITV 2, which is rejected by most independent students of broadcasting and the majority of my hon. Friends?

Mr. Rees

The report was 500 pages long and contained 174 recommendations. What I want to do in the White Paper is to take the discussion further before we have legislation. I know that many people are taking up prepared positions, but they will just have to wait until they see the Government's proposals.

Mr. Michael Latham

The proposals for local broadcasting were extremely controversial—certainly to listeners of BBC Radio Leicester. Has the Home Secretary really kicked this matter into the long grass for the rest of this Parliament?

Mr. Rees

No. I shall be publishing a White Paper, which the hon. Member can read and form a view on.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Does my right hon. Friend realise that some of us do not mind his taking a fair time to consider this matter, provided that he takes the right decision in the end and, as my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead) said, rejects the meretricious proposals for an ITV 2.

Mr. Rees

I am sure that I shall come to the right conclusions.

Mr. Freud

The House will welcome the Home Secretary's saying that he does not know when the White Paper will be issued. His Department announced that it would be issued in the autumn, by the end of the year, and in March. Is the Home Secretary aware of the disservice that this is doing to the industry? This might be good for democracy but it is pretty bad for broadcasting.

Mr. Rees

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. A most interesting report, a White Paper, and then legislation, will set the pattern for the next 15 years. Perhaps those in the industry who think that a quick answer is possible are the same people who give quick answers to serious problems on their television programmes.