HL Deb 24 January 1974 vol 348 cc1569-71
VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

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 they have noticed the disproportionate amount of publicity given to editorials of the Morning Star and to Communist propaganda generally in the B.B.C.'s "Morning Review" of the papers and whether this practice conforms to the impartiality required by the B.B.C.'s Charter.

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, it is a long-established policy, observed by this Government and by their predecessors, that Ministers do not make judgments on matters of this kind, since the B.B.C. and the I.B.A. are wholly and solely responsible for programme content. I am sure the B.B.C., who have obligations to treat controversial subjects with due impartiality, will take note of my noble friend's views.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that answer—the stock answer I expected—may I ask him whether he realises that, while I am sure we all feel it is necessary for the Morning Star to get coverage by the B.B.C., the daily circulation of the Morning Star is only about 30,000? Does my noble friend further realise that there are newspapers with 50 times, or even more than 50 times, this circulation, which do not get a proportionate coverage from the B.B.C.? Would my noble friend bear that point in mind and do what he thinks best?

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, I understand from the B.B.C. that the proportion of time devoted last quarter to the Morning Star was just over 1 per cent. I do not think we should underestimate the common sense of the viewers and listeners. They can form their own judgment of Communist views and motives.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, have not the noble Lord, and Her Majesty's Government, noticed that silly statements tend to suffer a great deal of what they may consider is undue publicity?

LORD DENHAM

If the noble Viscount is referring to silly statements in this particular programme, I am sure the B.B.C. will take note of his views as well as those of my noble friend.

LORD ROYLE

My Lords, can the noble Viscount be encouraged to sleep a little longer in the morning?

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, as the noble Viscount is sitting on the same Bench as the noble Lord, perhaps he can give the encouragement.

BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOE

My Lords, my noble friend means the noble Viscount who has Reds under his bed.

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, I think that advice could apply to anyone.

LORD SUDELEY

My Lords, may I ask the Minister what definition of "impartiality" is given in the B.B.C. Charter?

LORD DENHAM

Not without notice, my Lords.

LORD WIGG

My Lords, if the noble Lord is judging the impartiality of the B.B.C., would he notice that last week, when on three days there were opinion polls showing the Conservative Party in front, they were repeated time after time. On Friday, for example, the Evening Standard poll was repeated three times on Radio News. Yet, on Sunday, when the Sunday Times reported that the Labour Party was 3 per cent. in front, there was no reference at all until I 'phoned them up and drew their attention to it?

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, although that supplementary from the noble Lord, Lord Wigg does not arise from the Question on the Order Paper, I have no doubt that even so the B.B.C. will take notice of it.

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, is it not true that good wine needs no bush?

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