§ 4. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the overwhelming rejection of advertising by hospital broadcasting services, he will refuse to sanction any experiment in this field.
§ Dr. SummerskillMy right hon. Friend has written to my hon. Friend explaining, as he announced in the House 613 on 23rd March, that he proposes to authorise advertising as part of the hospital broadcasting service conducted by London Hospitals' Broadcasting, for an initial experimental period of one year.
§ Mr. JenkinsIs my hon. Friend aware that London Hospitals' Broadcasting is not representative of hospital broadcasting organisations either in London or in the country as a whole? Does she recognise that this deceitful title of London Hospitals' Broadcasting has been chosen by the organisation because it was set up precisely for the purpose of commercialising hospital broadcasting? If this concern is allowed to get away with it, it will destroy a voluntary service which is greatly valued in the hospital community.
§ Dr. SummerskillThis is an experiment for one year. It does not imply a permanent service. It will enable information to be obtained for dealing with any future applications.
§ Mr. WhiteheadWill my hon. Friend consider extending hospital broadcasting beyond the current normal rules of curtilage which apply here, because this is a valuable experiment in local radio?
§ Dr. SummerskillI am sure that my hon. Friend's view will be taken into account at the end of the year, when the whole issue is reviewed.