§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD STRANGEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that entering the Common Market is likely to lead to costly radio advertising from foreign stations, half of the profit from which will accrue to the French Government.]
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, it is open to British firms, just as it is to their Continental competitors, to place advertisements with these Continental stations now, if they so desire. They may have more reason to do so in the future. The French Government may have a financial interest, directly or indirectly, and obviously if they have they will derive revenue from those stations. But that is no reason for changing broadcasting policy in this country. What the French Government does is its own concern.
§ LORD STRANGEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. Would the noble Lord not agree that if the Marine &c. Broadcasting (Offences) Bill goes through, the British radio stations will be likely to seek other stations outside the scope of the Bill? Would the noble Lord not agree that they will contact and beam their personal listeners and will broadcast to them foreign radio advertisements instead of British? Would the noble Lord not agree, further, that if they can contact their present listeners and give them a reflex to buy foreign goods it will be a sorry welcome for our British manufacturers, should we become one of the united States of Europe.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, with respect to the noble Lord, that is a series of hypotheses. Whether they eventuate we shall have to wait and see. Obviously, should they eventuate the Postmaster General and the British Government will have to determine what their policy will be.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, does that mean that there is a possibility that Her Majesty's Government will license commercial radio in this country if the circumstances are such as the noble Lord has just envisaged?
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, I have said nothing of the kind. The noble Lord will be aware that the policy of Her Majesty's Government has been expanded already in a White Paper called Broadcasting. So far as I know, Her Majesty's Government still adhere to that policy.