HC Deb 09 May 1990 vol 172 cc360-1
Mr. Cryer

I beg to move amendment No. 682, in page128, line 30, at end add `such direction shall be given by order subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this it will be convenient to consider amendment No. 362, in page 128, line 36, at end insert— '(3)—Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), in relation to section 168, (Restrictions on inclusion of certain events), above, international obligations include Article 9 of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television.'.

Mr. Cryer

This is a minor amendment to clause 173, which gives power to the Secretary of State to give directions relating to international obligations. The bodies to which directions can be given include the BBC, the ITC, the Welsh Authority, the Radio Authority and the Broadcasting Standards Council. Rather than simply hand that power to the Secretary of State, it would be preferable to make some more formal provision. My amendment suggests that this should be done by statutory instrument. I have not made it an affirmative statutory instrument but one that is subject to annulment in the House, so that a prayer can be tabled against it. That means that, for those interested, there would be some opportunity to table a prayer and perhaps obtain a debate.

Amendment No. 362 shows the potential importance of the directions, because they will be to carry out international obligations, one of which is specified in the amendment. The legislation will apply to bodies such as the BBC, and rather than the Secretary of State being given powers that can be applied behind closed doors, even though there may appear to be a transparent relationship under international obligations, it would be better in cases where the Minister is giving directions that have to be followed for there to be some relationship to Parliament. Those are my reasons for tabling the amendment, and I shall listen with interest to the Minister's reply.

Mr. Mellor

The hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) knows that I have accepted parliamentary procedures for crucial parts of the Bill, not least the schedule 2 ownership arrangements, about which there will be an affirmative resolution. I have a problem in relation to the directive because of the number of occasions on which this might arise and whether the use of a statutory instrument would be a rather protracted way of dealing with what might be largely routine matters.

In deference to the hon. Gentleman, I should like to reflect further on the matters that he raises. He knows that is not a pious statement, because I have made changes as a result of reflection.

I am not suggesting that I can accept the amendment as it stands: I will, however, try to find out the likely volume of work involved, and perhaps write to the hon. Gentleman to tell him that the matter can be further considered in another place.

Mr. Cryer

In view of the Minister's interesting comments and his commitment to examine the matter—and the possibility of a debate in the House of Lords—I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

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