House of Commons (Broadcasting) (Hansard, 3 March 1982)

§ Mr. Leslie Spriggs (St. Helens)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It will be within your memory, Mr. Speaker, that yesterday afternoon I raised a question with the Prime Minister about the taxation of widows' pensions under the mineworkers' pension scheme. Yet I received a telephone call this morning asking me why I had not used the opportunity to raise this matter with the Prime Minister since another hon. Member raised a similar question. It is clear to me, since the constituent who telephoned me had expected the news to be in the late-evening programme about the proceedings in Parliament, that she had not been told that her Member of Parliament had used the only available opportunity to raise this question with the Prime Minister.
There seems to be some personal bias. It is quite clear that the editor has done this on a number of occasions when other Back Benchers and I have been concerned. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I am asking you not only for your guidance but for your protection in offering the House some way of sharing the system of editing the news programme "Today in Parliament".

§ Mr. Speaker
When the House resolved to have its proceedings broadcast, it consciously decided that it did not wish to have editorial control over the substance of the broadcasts. There was a debate on the question. I quite understand the feelings of the hon. Gentleman, who has asked an important question, but the House has given editorial responsibility to the BBC.

§ Mr. Ivor Stanbrook (Orpington)
May it be said, on behalf of most hon. Members, that we consider the editorial work of the BBC to be eminently fair?

§ Mr. Speaker
I am quite sure that the comments of both hon. Members will have been heard. I get in every day, so I have no complaint!