HC Deb 02 March 1978 vol 945 cc642-3
4. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will refuse any application to include advertising in hospital broadcasting services.

Mr. John

My right hon. Friend has received one application to include advertising in a hospital broadcasting service on an experimental basis for one year initially. We shall decide whether to approve it when consultations now taking place with interested parties have been completed.

Mr. Jenkins

Is my hon. Friend aware that most of the hospital broadcasting service would be much opposed to the introduction of advertising into what is essentially a therapeutic service and would regard the introduction of even a small or experimental element as changing the nature of the service and being highly undesirable?

Mr. John

I understand that that has been the evidence of the hospital broadcasting services so far. They are holding a postal referendum among constituent members. We are awaiting the result of this before completing our consultations.

Mr. Speed

Is the Minister aware that many hospital broadcasting organisations are worried that they could lose benefits which they are getting at the moment as a result of advertising? Will he take seriously the submission to his Department by the National Association of Hospital Broadcasting Organisations?

Mr. John

Certainly. That is one of the worrying factors—that by introducing advertising the benefits flowing from charitable organisations may be lost. That is one of the things that we shall have to bear in mind. I ask the House to realise that in any event this would be on an experimental basis for one year initially. It would not be a once-for-all decision.