§ 2.51 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they do or do not consider it desirable that The War Game should be shown on television.]
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, the broadcasting authorities are responsible for the content of their programmes, and it is for them to decide what and what not to show. The Postmaster General has the power, which successive Governments have regarded as being, in the strictest sense, a reserve power, to veto programmes. This has never been used in respect of any particular programme. My right honourable friend has no power to require programmes to be broadcast. In sum, therefore, the question is not one on which Her Majesty's Government could properly express a view.
§ LORD REAYMy Lords, I thank the noble Lady for her Answer. Would Her Majesty's Government not accept that, as a nuclear attack would bring consequences on any country incomparably more ghastly than any event that has ever occurred in history, it is improper to conceal demonstration of such consequences from the public, and that this is especially true in a country which, in the first place is a democracy and, in the second place, still possesses an independent nuclear deterrent, so that it is still possible that the Government themselves, by miscalculation of tactics or general policy, might promote such an event? Secondly, may I ask—
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, if I may reply now to the noble Lord's rather lengthy question, the Government have never refused to make a statement of what would be their policy in the event of nuclear attack. I think I must advise the noble Lord that any question relating to Civil Defence would more properly be addressed to my right honourable friend the Home Secretary.
§ LORD REAYMy Lords, may I perhaps be briefer and more precise and ask the Government this: Does it remain proper for me to ask the Government 780 whether or not one is entitled to require them to give an opinion on this; and, if it is, may I ask that they take notice of the decision by the Board of British Film Censors to make this film available for general release? Also, if they consider it would be a form of impropriety to make any statement of their view on this subject, because of the independence of the B.B.C., would they give an assurance that they would pass on this argument, and any other remarks made by noble Lords in this House, to the B.B.C.?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord, may I apologise for saying that the question should be addressed to the Home Secretary; I should of course have said that the question should be addressed to Her Majesty's Government but would be replied to on behalf of my right honourable friend the Home Secretary. So far as the B.B.C. is concerned, the noble Lord will appreciate that Her Majesty's Government cannot direct the B.B.C. to show or not to show any film of this kind.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, on the wider issue, would my I noble friend not agree that the time has now come when in peace time the people should be taught that there is no nobility in war, only cruelty and vulgarity?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, while possibly sympathising with the noble Lady and personally even agreeing with her, I must say that that point does not arise on this Question.
§ LORD PEDDIEMy Lords, can my noble friend indicate whether anydefinable code exists upon which this power of vetoing is exercised?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, it is a matter for the B.B.C. If the noble Lord wishes to have more information on this, I am sure it could be obtained.
§ LORD ARCHIBALDMy Lords, would my noble friend agree to pass on to the B.B.C. the fact that there is a widespread feeling in the country that this film should be shown?
§ SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS: No!
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I do not feel that this is a matter on which I could properly comment. It appears to be based on a premise. The 781 noble Lords says that this is so, but we do not know whether in fact it is so. We do not even know whether the B.B.C. rejected this on the ground which the noble Lord has put forward. They have frequently decided not to show films considered to be of an horrific nature. They may do so with a "Western".
LORD TAYLORMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the historic assumptions on which the first supplementary question was based were entirely false; that in the history of the slaughters of mankind there have been many slaughters much worse than those to which the noble Lord referred, including those involved in the Albigensian heresy?