§ 2.47 p.m.
§ Lord ROBERTSON of OAKRIDGEMy 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 what were the reactions of the BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority to what was said in this House in connection with the Starred Question on 14th March 1978 on the subject of television films with an edge directed against Germany and the Germans (Official Report; col. 1174).
§ The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Harris of Greenwich)My Lords, the broadcasting authorities have assured me that they take note of what is said in this House and in another place on broadcasting matters, and that they had carefully noted the exchanges, referred to in the noble Lord's Question, which I promised the House I would formally draw to their attention.
§ Lord ROBERTSON of OAKRIDGEMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply, which has a special significance in view of the reported intention of the BBC to transmit a series of television programmes, amounting to nine or 10 852 hours in all, on the treatment of the Jews in the Second World War. Does the Minister agree that in order that these programmes should not unnecessarily rekindle old animosities, they need to be handled with great sensitivity and a sense of historical perspective? Does he also agree that in this respect the answer from the television authorities is encouraging?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHYes, my Lords; I am quite sure that the television authorities, being aware that the noble Lord has tabled this Question, will study what he has just said.
§ Lord MURRAY of GRAVESENDMy Lords, does my noble friend agree that it is no had thing to remind people about the evils of Fascism and Nazism, in view of the National Front and other organisations?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, that is no doubt another question which the broadcasting authorities will take into account.