HL Deb 09 December 1982 vol 437 cc280-1

4.35 p.m.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter rose to move, That it be an Instruction to the Sound Broadcasting Committee that they shall consider whether or not the recent change in the format of "Yesterday in Parliament" and its inclusion as an item I the "Today" programme is in conformity with Clause 13(2) of the Licence and Agreement of the BBC.

The noble Lord said: My Lords, you will recall that the House recently set up again the Select Committee on Sound Broadcasting, and most of your Lordships are aware of the unhappiness and uncertainty which has been aroused in connection with the change in the treatment of "Yesterday in Parliament" to which this Motion refers. As we have this Select Committee, it seems sensible, in the context of the bearing on it of the Licence and Agreement of the BBC, to refer this matter to that committee. If your Lordships are of the view that that is a sensible move, I imagine that you will feel as I do that it would not be appropriate to seek to try to discuss this matter at this stage, but that it would be much better to await the report of the Select Committee, when it may well be necessary to have some discussion. I beg to move.

Moved, That it be an Instruction to the Sound Broadcasting Committee that they shall consider whether or not the recent change in the format of "Yesterday in Parliament" and its inclusion as an item in the "Today" programme is in conformity with Clause 13(2) of the Licence and Agreement of the BBC.—(Lord Boyd-Carpenter.)

Lord Ferrier

My Lords, I entirely support what my noble friend has said in moving that this somewhat narrow issue should be referred to the committee, and I look forward to seeing their report. Nevertheless, it will be recalled that this forms a part of a protest about some of the BBC's performances which took place in the debate on the humble Address on 4th November. I take this opportunity which is presented by this short debate to request the powers that be, the usual channels, to remember that there is another part of the complaint that I personally made about the BBC. It may be wise for the House to have an opportunity to debate some of the imperfections—they are not many, but they are important—in the performance of the BBC as soon as possible after this report has been received.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, would not this House be well advised to follow the advice of the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, that this matter should be examined by the Sound Broadcasting Committee as the most convenient and effective way of dealing with this issue?

Lord Denham

My Lords, I must echo from this Dispatch Box the noble and learned Lord opposite by saying that this matter arose from an exchange in this House in which my noble friend the Leader of the House was involved last week. My noble friend's Motion arose from that, and it would be right that it should be put to the House.

On Question, Motion agreed to.