HC Deb 22 February 1979 vol 963 cc601-2
4. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has had any recent meeting with the director-general of the British Broadcasting Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I last met the governors and the director-general of the BBC on 8 February and discussed a range of subjects.

Mr. Skinner

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be a good idea if he met the director-general again urgently and told him that it is not only members of Parliament but many millions of people outside who are concerned about the removal of certain current affairs programmes and their replacement by chat shows? If it is really a question of finance for the BBC, surely the Gov- ernment should take on board the idea that has been put forward by many Labour Members, namely, that the funds should be paid out of a block grant from the Government instead of in their present form.

Mr. Rees

On the latter point, as was announced in the House recently, an inquiry is taking place without any commitment. Whatever my views may be about the difference between a chat show and the very interesting programmes on "Tonight", I have no control over them and neither should I. However, I can indicate my view.

Sir Paul Bryan

When the Home Secretary does see the director-general, will he be able to give him an assurance that the Government have had second thoughts on the White Paper proposal to undermine the political independence of the BBC by introducing about 20 Home Office nominees into the management?

Mr. Rees

I think that the hon. Gentleman has got it wrong with regard to the proposal, but there will be plenty of time to discuss it when the appropriate moment comes. I have been looking back to the time of Suez, about 20 years ago, and I do not believe that there is any political control over the BBC in the sense in which the hon. Gentleman has suggested, nor do I believe that any of the changes would bring that about.