HC Deb 02 March 1978 vol 945 cc640-2
3. Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had regarding the need to take an early decision on extensions of local broadcasting stations.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Brynmor John)

The BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority and their local radio contractors have made clear to me their desire for an early decision that their respective local radio services should be permitted to expand.

Mr. Freud

As the Home Secretary knows that it needs no extra legislation and would cost no money to extend local broadcasting, in view of public demand may I ask him to tell the House what is stopping him from writing to the IBA and the BBC saying "Yes"?

Mr. John

The answer to the hon. Gentleman is that the proposals obviously fit into the future pattern of broadcasting and must await general decisions. It would be useless to pre-empt those by taking immediate decisions which might not conform to the overall pattern.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Is my hon. Friend aware that those of us who support the Annan recommendations would take it very much amiss if he were to extend existing broadcasting services and thus pre-empt the situation before he has made a decision on the Annan Report?

Mr. John

That illustrates the wisdom of the Government in awaiting the general conclusions.

Mr. Whitelaw

Will the hon. Gentleman nevertheless say when the Government will publish their White Paper on the Annan Report? What on earth is going on to delay it for so long?

Mr. John

The right hon. Gentleman has the great advantage that he does not need to plough through the 174 recommendations of the Annan Report. I would be surprised if he did so when the debate takes place. The fact is that there are 500 pages in the report, 174 recommendations and many representations on them. It would be doing less than justice to the importance of the subject if we were to rush the matter through. [Laughter.] I must confess that I always admire the instant expertise of hon. Members who devote 30 seconds before a Question and 30 seconds afterwards to the subject. We have to devote proper time and consideration, because these same hon. Gentlemen will be equally quick with their condemnation if we get it wrong.

Mr. Grist

Is the Minister of State aware that the Director-General of the BBC said a few days ago in Cardiff that there was no chance of the BBC extending local radio stations in Wales and that therefore Cardiff, which was twentieth on the original list for independent radio, should now be granted that right?

Mr. John

I am aware of that—as I am aware of the letter the Director-General wrote a few days later correcting that statement.