HL Deb 01 July 1985 vol 465 cc950-2

2.41 p.m.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement outlining the measures taken to ensure that the independent television companies comply with the quota of overseas programme material in accordance with the agreements which apply to them.

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

My Lords, Section 4 of the Broadcasting Act 1981 requires the Independent Broadcasting Authority to ensure that proper proportions of programme material are of British origin and performance. It is for the IBA to decide what is the proper proportion and to monitor compliance by the independent television companies. This proportion is currently 86 per cent., subject to certain exceptions. The proportion of overseas programmes shown in 1983–84 was well within the limits set by the IBA. I understand that this will also be the case for 1984–85.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that the observation of the agreed quota is of crucial importance to a wide spectrum of the film industry and to none more than those who work in it? I recognise the limited ministerial responsibility, but I should like to ask the Minister whether he will assure us that he is prepared to see that the IBA ensures that the proportions are always adhered to.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the Government are satisfied that the accounts given in the annual reports of the IBA indicate that it is properly carrying out its duties in this respect. So far as Government monitoring is concerned, the IBA has been established by Act of Parliament to undertake this function and I see no purpose in duplicating its work within Government.

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, does the noble Lord the Minister agree that when enactments came before this House assurances were given of the Government's great concern that these quotas should be adhered to? Does he not therefore think that there is a ministerial duty to see that the quotas are properly adhered to in the future, as they appear to be at present and have been in the past?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the Government will continue to scrutinise the reports by the IBA.

Lord Aylestone

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether the quota arrangement that applies to the IBA also applies to the BBC? Secondly, can he give us the percentage of British television production which is sold abroad?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I cannot give an answer to the last part of the noble Lord's supplementary question, but, so far as the first part is concerned, the BBC follows the same pattern, and that is given in the annexe to the licence and agreement.

Lord Avebury

My Lords, when the Minister quotes a figure of 86 per cent. British-made programmes, does that mean 86 per cent. air time? If that is so, considering the enormous fees which are paid to overseas producers for shoddy work like "Dallas", does this not mean that very much less money is available for British actors? Should not the quota be determined on the basis of the amount that the broadcasting authorities spend rather than on the amount of air time that is allocated to British programmes?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I certainly do not propose to be drawn on my opinion, or anybody else's for that matter, as to whether or not "Dallas" is shoddy, but what I can say is that there is an additional restriction on the use of non-exempt overseas material at peak viewing hours. The maximum allowed is five and a half hours on average each week between 6.30 and 10.30 p.m.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that I, personally, think that a quota based on air time is probably better than any alternative, for the simple reason that foreign material can be dumped in this country very cheaply indeed, having covered its cost in its country of origin? Therefore, an air time limitation, which we have had for many years, is probably the best.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, will the Minister accept that, besides statistics and besides annual reports, it is desirable that the IBA companies should reveal their programme schedules, marked up to indicate what is quota material and what is not, and what is non-exempt material and what is not? Surely a body such as the Radio and Television Safeguards Committee or the FBU ought to be able to scrutinise these schedules at least once every six months in order to satisfy themselves that the quota is being strictly adhered to.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I do not really see that there is as much concern as the noble Lord seems to think. The IBA's annual report contains a pretty full analysis of the operation of the quota and the grounds for exemption. It discusses, for example, the need to accommodate programmes in ethnic minority languages and the exemptions that are made for some EEC programmes and for programmes of cultural value. So I do not think there is the concern which the noble Lord feels.