HC Deb 10 March 1980 vol 980 cc923-4
39. Mr. Winnick

asked the Paymaster General when he expects next to meet representatives of the press.

Mr. Maude

I frequently meet individual members of the press at their own request. These are generally arranged at short notice. I have no immediate engagements in my diary.

Mr. Winnick

If the right hon. Gentleman does not do more to improve the Government's image—and we realise the obvious difficulties in that task—is it not possible that he will be publicly rebuked and humiliated by the Prime Minister, or simply sacked?

Mr. Maude

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The hon. Gentleman should recognise that it is not Governments' images that matter but whether their policies will work. I am entirely confident that the policies of this Government will work.

Mr. Adley

Has my right hon. Friend had any discussions with the BBC or the ITA about the suggestion that they should be asked to postpone or ban broadcasting the Olympic Games? Does he recognise that if any such proposal were made it would set a dangerous precedent? Can he, therefore, give the House an assurance that no such action is contemplated by the Government?

Mr. Maude

No, Sir. That would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

Mr. David Steel

When the right hon. Gentleman next meets representatives of the press will be explain his extraordinary decree that no Ministers will be allowed to participate in television or radio broadcasts with members of other parties to discuss their policies? Is he so lacking in confidence in his colleagues that they may appear only in prepackaged form and may not be open to cross-examination?

Mr. Maude

The right hon. Gentleman is, as so often, ill-informed. I have, of course, never made any such decree, nor am I authorised to do so. It has been the practice of successive Governments to give giudance to Ministers on their participation in television and radio programmes. I have written to my colleagues recently merely to clarify the existing guidelines.