HL Deb 11 June 1975 vol 361 cc303-5
Lord ORR-EWING

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 the Leader of the House whether any arrangements will be made for an experiment in the public sound broadcasting of the proceedings of the House of Lords.

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Shepherd)

My Lords, there are no arrangements in hand for an experiment in the Lords, but the House will watch with interest the results of the experiment in another place.

Lord ORR-EWING

My Lords, is it not true that the House of Lords has generally taken a favourable attitude to the broadcasting of its proceedings, and that to some extent we have set the pace in this respect? If the experiment in the Commons is adjudged successful, will future arrangements in this House be sure to include the broadcasting of our proceedings as well as the broadcasting of another place?

Lord SHEPHERD

My Lords, the reason why the experiment was restricted to the House of Commons was that it was being done by the broadcasting authorities not only at their own expense but also using the limited resources which they have in Parliament. The resources were simply not available to make it possible to carry out the experiment in the two Houses. The noble Lord is quite right about this House setting the pace. I believe that it was in 1968 that we had our own internal television and radio exercise, which I think most people regarded as a success. If the House of Commons decide to continue radio broadcasts as a permanent part of their proceedings, then I would not have any doubt at all of that being made available for this House provided your Lordships' House were to pass the necessary resolution.

Lord HARMAR-NICHOLLS

My Lords, is the Leader of the House aware that nothing has happened yet which should cause this House to look upon this with favour? Is he aware that what has happened in the other place, from my hearing, is reflected as a kind of "rabble-babble" without the balancing factor of the Chamber and the atmosphere of Parliament to preserve the dignity of Parliament? I should have thought that the likely result of what has happened so far would be to end the experiment there rather than to encourage thought of starting it here.

Lord SHEPHERD

My Lords, the noble Lord is entitled to his own lonely voice in this matter—

Several Noble Lords: No.

Lord SHEPHERD

—and perhaps some other noble Lords will join him. My understanding from the various reports is that the experiment has so far been well received, and certainly all we learned from 1968 shows that it can be done properly and that it is of great use to the public to understand Parliamentary procedures.

Lord BLYTON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that such a broadcast at about nine o'clock at night would show this place to be like a morgue?

The Earl of KINNOULL

My Lords, who eventually will be the judge of whether or not the experiment in another place is successful?

Lord SHEPHERD

My Lords, that will surely be a matter for the other place to decide.