HL Deb 12 November 1964 vol 261 cc421-3

3.18 p.m.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether reports are true that the Egg Marketing Board are contributing to the revenue from advertising of pirate radio stations operating in breach of international agreements; and, if so, whether they propose to take any action.]

LORD HOBSON

My Lords, I am informed that the Egg Marketing Board has entered into a contract for advertisements to be broadcast by one or more of the unauthorised broadcasting stations which are at present operating off our shores. The Government strongly deprecate this action, and in response to their representations the Board hat; agreed not to renew the contract without prior discussion with my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I am very much obliged to the noble Lord, particularly as I think this is his first appearance at the Government Dispatch Box. Is it not rather a pity that the four members of the Egg Marketing Board appointed by the Minister of Agriculture were not able to prevail upon their colleagues to prevent this from happening in the first place?

LORD HOBSON

That may well be so.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, can the noble Lord state whether Her Majesty's Government have told the Egg Marketing Board that they are not allowed so to advertise, or whether they have merely suggested that they should not?

LORD HOBSON

My Lords, we have told them that their present action incurs our displeasure.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, can the Minister say whether the Government are proposing to take any action to stop these radio stations from operating?

LORD HOBSON

My Lords, that is another question and the noble Lord might care to put it down.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell me whether it is not strange for the Government to interfere with the advertising policies of an independent marketing board?

LORD HOBSON

Not when these stations are operating without a Postmaster General's licence and are taking advantage of operating in international waters pending international agreement.

EARL FERRERS

Is not the right answer, then, to suspend the broadcasting stations, as opposed to interfering with the advertising rights of the marketing board?

LORD HOBSON

That, indeed, is another question.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, should not the advertising of a marketing board, which has great privileges under the Statutes of this Parliament, be very carefully examined as its conduct goes on? They have been very good up till now, but I hope they will not be allowed to go too far.

LORD HOBSON

I am sure the criticisms of the noble Earl will be borne in mind.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, in view of the question asked by the noble Earl.

Lord Ferrers, might I ask this? Did not the Postmaster General, in a Written Answer in another place the day before yesterday, express his intention to get rid of these "pirate" radio stations by legislation?

LORD HOBSON

This is really another question. The matter is of course being actively considered.