§ 2.44 p.m.
The Earl of SELKIRKMy 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 would agree that the television authorities would be wise not to show so many films with an edge directed against Germany and the Germans.
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, the Government recognise that television programmes may prompt many and varied opinions, but under the arrangements governing broadcasting in this country the responsibility for the content of their respective broadcast services rests with the BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority whose governing bodies are appointed as trustees for the public interest in broadcasting. It would be inconsistent with that policy for the Government to seek to influence the broadcasting authorities on what should or should not be broadcast.
The Earl of SELKIRKMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for going as far as he can to answer my Question. May I ask him whether he would consider, perhaps with the help of his noble friend Lord Winterbottom, reminding the authorities that Germany and Germans form an integral part of the defence of this country, which, to many people, is not wholly satisfactory today?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, I am quite sure that the members of both authorities are aware of that fact, but, as I indicated in my original reply, this is a matter for them and not for the Government.
§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYMy Lords, while the BBC have responsibility, along with other television authorities, for what they show, may I ask whether my noble friend would ask them to take account of comments made in this House—especially this House—concerning the fact that on Human Rights Day we were given an hour and a half of an old film of conditions in a German concentration camp 30 years ago, but nothing at all about human rights in labour camps and psychiatric hospitals in Soviet Russia?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, I shall gladly ensure that what has been said today is drawn to the attention of both the Authority and the BBC.
Lord INGLEWOODMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that there is a widespread feeling against this continued showing of films which are of an offensive nature? Would he not think that, rather than the present broadcasting authorities' policies, the words of Mr. Winston Churchill on the flyleaf of the first volume of the Second World War, "In victory magnanimity; in peace reconciliation" provide a much better motto?
§ Viscount MASSEREENE and FERRARDMy Lords, is the Minister aware that three or four years ago I asked a broadly similar Question to that of the noble Earl, Lord Selkirk, and that the Minister replying—it may have been the noble Lord; I cannot remember—gave exactly the same Answer as the noble Lord opposite?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, I am glad to say that he probably did, because it has been the policy of successive Governments that this should be so.
§ Baroness GAITSKELLMy Lords, may I ask the Minister whether this is the only sensitive issue on which the television authorities are not wise? Is he aware that about a week ago there was a debate on immigration and race relations on the BBC, the chairman was Robin Day, and that he could not have been more biased and more bullying? Surely something ought to be done to stop this kind of thing from happening?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, I note what my noble friend says, but I must repeat that this is a matter for the BBC and not for the Government.