§ Lord KINNAIRDMy 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 there is any limit beyond which broadcasting companies are not allowed to go in the use of obscene language in televised plays; and whether they will consider introducing a system of certificates, such as is used in the film industry.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Harris of Greenwich)My Lords, responsibility in matters of programme content rests entirely with the broadcasting authorities —the Board of Governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation and the members of the Independent Broadcasting Authority—who are appointed as trustees for the public interest in broadcasting. The introduction of a system of certificates would be a matter for those authorities.
§ Lord KINNAIRDMy Lords, I am obliged to the Minister for that rather discouraging reply. May I first ask him: is it not disturbing that this undesirable language is constantly hurled into the middle of our homes without time even to bolt the back door? 81 Secondly, does he not think it a matter of considerable concern that the ears of the growing generation are being acclimatised to this unexpected sort of language? Will he therefore please do everything in his power to urge greater responsibility not only from those who produce our television plays but also from those in authority over them?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, the noble Lord said that my reply was to some extent discouraging. I was simply stating what is in fact the position; namely, that matters of this sort are for the BBC and the IBA and not for the Government. If the House reflects on this matter, I think it will come to the conclusion that it is a mistake to invite Governments to become involved in the content of broadcasting.
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, while accepting the noble Lord's point of view, may I ask him what self-disciplines are observed by the Corporations with respect to the use of obscene language, particularly during children's programmes?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, I do not want to continue to repeat the two replies I have already given. I shall certainly ensure that the points which have been made in the House are drawn to the attention of the BBC and the IBA. I think that they are aware of criticisms of this sort, which have been made on a number of occasions, but it is for them to take appropriate action.
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, in that case, will the noble Lord draw the attention of the BBC particularly to the recent Robin Hood series, which was broadcast during children's viewing periods, and which, in my view at least, was a public disgrace?