§ 11. Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with the broadcasting authorities on the influence of television on schoolchildren.
§ Sir Keith JosephI have had recent meetings with the BBC and the IBA to discuss the issues raised in the report, "Popular TV and Schoolchildren".
§ Mr. HeddleMy right hon. Friend's answer will be welcomed by my constituents in Mid-Staffordshire, but 144 does he accept that a disturbing element in the report is that, on average, children aged five to 14 watch 23 hours of television per week, which is more than they spend in the classroom? Does he agree that it is the duty of television producers to screen in prime time programmes that are high in educational content and low on the denigration of authority and the abuse of the English language?
§ Sir Keith JosephWhatever the lessons for television producers, there is clearly a lesson for parents in the figure to which my hon. Friend referred.
§ Mr. StokesBad though the influence of television on children already is, does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be even worse if the proceedings of the House were televised?
§ Sir Keith JosephMy hon. Friend and I agree on that so far, but it is a matter for the House.
§ Mr. SkinnerDoes the Minister agree that it is a bit thick for Tory Members who only last week voted for, or refused to vote against, cable television now to complain about the amount of television that children watch and its influence on them?
§ Sir Keith JosephIt is, nevertheless, right that we should discuss this with the television authorities and seek to arrange discussions between teachers, parents and programme producers about the influence of the image of the adult world that is given to children by popular programmes.