HL Deb 30 November 1982 vol 436 cc1138-40

2.55 p.m.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

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 Her Majesty's Government whether it is their view that productions opposing nuclear weapons should not be shown on television.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Elton)

My Lords, the broadcasting authorities are entirely responsible for the content of their programmes, subject to the law and to their specific obligations in respect of programme standards; and it would be contrary to the practice endorsed by succesive Goverments for Ministers to seek to influence their decisions. It is therefore for the broadcasting authorities alone to decide whether, or subject to what conditions, to broadcast programmes which oppose nuclear weapons.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer and agreeing with its broad tendency, may I ask whether he is aware that the IBA have taken a very unusual decision in requiring a programme to be transmitted as one of a pair: in having issued an instruction to Central Independent Television that John Pilger's programme, "The Truth Game", may be transmitted only provided that a pro-bomb programme is simultaneously transmitted? Is the noble Lord aware of what is meant by transmitting as one of a pair? Assuming that it does not mean transmission from both transmitters at the same time, does it mean that they are to be transmitted one after the other or that the second is to be transmitted the next day, or the next week, or what?

Lord Elton

My Lords, I understand that the Independent Broadcasting Authority has told Central Independent Television that it wishes the programme to be balanced by a separate complementary programme. This is entirely the IBA's decision and the Government have not sought to influence it in any way.

Lord Renton

My Lords, while fully accepting what my noble friend has said about the Government's position in this matter, may I ask him whether he is aware that in fact the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament gets far more publicity on television than those who agree with the use of nuclear weapons?

Furthermore, if it is desired to have balanced programmes, could my noble friend inquire why it is that the very remarkable film called "Who Dares, Wins" which debunks the CND case, is not being shown on television?

Lord Elton

My noble friend is doubtless aware of the obligation under which both broadcasting authorities work to satisfy themselves that they achieve due impartiality on matters of political controversy or relating to current public policies. Those are the obligations of the authorities. It is not for the Government to enter into the balancing act with them.

Lord Harmar-Nicholls

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that, if the words "television" and "productions" in the Question can be deemed to mean mixing fiction with hypothesis and presenting it as fact, that should certainly be discouraged, whether it is for or against using nuclear weapons?

Lord Elton

My Lords, the question of how matters are presented is a matter for producers. The question of the political or other controversial content being balanced between one programme and another is for the broadcasting authorities.

The Earl of Onslow

My Lords, is my noble friend aware of the irony that had a pro-bomb programme been put down and then the Independent Broadcasting Authority had instructed Mr. Pilger to have produced an anti-bomb programme, the Question of the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney, would have read: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their view that productions for nuclear weapons should not be shown on television"?

Lord Elton

My Lords, it is always a great temptation at this Dispatch Box to follow one's noble friends down long lanes of hypothesis, but I shall resist it.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his answers, but would he not agree that this idea of complementary or of pairing programmes takes impartiality to a new point? Is this not rather disquieting for other programmes, quite apart from the content of the particular programme in question?

Lord Elton

My Lords, I think most of your Lordships would find impartiality reassuring rather than disquieting.

Viscount St. Davids

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this entire unilateral disarmament business is a matter of political "propaganda" and that the only person whom it serves any possible use is a "proper goose"?