HL Deb 01 March 1983 vol 439 cc1029-31

2.37 p.m.

Lord Gridley

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 they are satisfied that the tone and quality of the programmes broadcast on Channel 4 comply with Section 4 of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act 1973.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, Section 4 of the Broadcasting Act 1981—which has replaced Section 4 of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act 1973—places a duty on the IBA to satisfy itself that its programmes comply, so far as possible, with certain specified requirements. It is a long standing principle that the broadcasting authorities should be independent in the conduct of their affairs and entirely responsible, subject to the law and to their specific obligations, for their programme decisions. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to express views on the quality of the programmes broadcast on Channel 4.

Lord Gridley

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. May I ask him whether he saw a programme which was broadcast on Channel 4 on 26th February? If he did, I wonder whether he would agree that a programme, which alleged that those seeking entry to Parliament were moved only by their own self-interest and nothing else, needed correction? Is not a broadcast of this nature irresponsible and unbalanced? Is it not an accepted principle—and this was omitted—that in a democracy those elected give service to their constituents and also to the Crown?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I am afraid that I did not see the broadcast to which my noble friend referred. Therefore, I cannot even form a view about it. However, I am sure that the members of the Independent Broadcasting Authority will take note of his views.

Lord Nugent of Guildford

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that this is only one of a number of programmes which has caused a great deal of offence? Will my noble friend consider asking the chairman whether he would be good enough to attend on the Home Secretary to explain what are his difficulties in conforming with the very specific terms of the Act with regard to standards of decency?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, in the course of a debate in your Lordships' House on 30th November last about the BBC and the IBA annual reports, some of your Lordships expressed concern about the content of some of the programmes shown on Channel 4. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary subsequently wrote to the chairman of the IBA drawing his attention to the concern that had been expressed; and the chairman, in reply, referred to the importance attached by the authority to ensuring that acceptable standards should be properly maintained.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that those who are looking at and listening to Channel 4 comprise a very wide range of age groups and occupations, and of course tastes vary? Is he further aware that there was a very excellent programme on Channel 4 concerning the activities of your Lordships' House, which won almost universal acclamation?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I think that that programme is about the only one that I myself have actually seen on Channel 4. But so far as the noble Lord's views are concerned, I think the best way to approach the problem is for all of those who feel strongly about matters that are on Channel 4 to write to the IBA and express their views. The alternative, if they do not like a programme, is, quite honestly, to switch it off.

Lord Orr-Ewing

My Lords, did my noble friend, by any chance, see the programme, in regard to which the IBA are responsible for balance, on the independent channel last night called "The Truth Game"? That was full of half-truths and lies. Are we going to get the other side of the story so that a balance is produced by the IBA?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I really think that what I have just said to the noble Lord, Lord Bruce, applies to my noble friend. He should write to the IBA on this matter.

Lord Nugent of Guildford

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that we have been informed that the new cable television, when it comes into operation, will be safeguarded—this is the Government's term—by a similar safeguard for standards of decency there? But is he aware that the position is so often unsatisfactory with the existing media that we really need something a good deal stronger if cable television, with all its possibilities, has nothing better to offer than that?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, cable television is another matter altogether and it is already subject to the preparation of a White Paper.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, will the noble Lord reaffirm what either he or one of his noble friends on the Front Bench said recently, that the question of balance in programming extends over a series of programmes and should not be attached to a single programme? Further, is he aware that it was announced in the programme shown last night, which was referred to by the noble Lord, Lord Orr-Ewing, that there would be another point of view put by a specific broadcaster in about eight weeks' time?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the broadcasting authorities will, I am sure, take note of what the noble Lord has said.

Lord Auckland

My Lords, while there may have been some dereliction of quality on Channel 4, may I ask whether my noble friend agrees that opera in particular has been very well presented—for example, their recent presentation of Aida—and that if complaints are to be made to the chairman of the authority, credit should be given for the excellent quality of the arts programmes shown on Channel 4?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I quite agree with my noble friend.