§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD ST. HELENSMy 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 for what purpose the television programme, The War Game, was seen by a group of senior civil servants.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, they were invited by the B.B.C. to see the film. Having done so, they reported to Ministers who decided that the question of showing the film was entirely one for the B.B.C. The Corporation have themselves made it clear that the decision not to broadcast the film was their own.
§ LORD ST. HELENSMy Lords, may I thank the Minister for his reply, and for finally scotching any rumour there may have been about this particular occurrence?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord.
§ LORD ERROLL OF HALEMy Lords, could the noble Lord, Lord Stonham, give the House an assurance that it is not going to become the practice that civil servants will be invited to spend their time seeing films, and will then give their advice to the B.B.C. on controversial matters?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, it is impossible to give an assurance of that kind. It is entirely a matter for the B.B.C. to invite whom they wish to see 940 a film. The Government have not interfered in this matter in any way whatsoever.