HL Deb 09 July 1985 vol 466 cc124-6

2.40 p.m.

Lord Rodney

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask the Leader of the House when the report of the Select Committee on Televising the Proceedings of the House is expected to be made, and how soon thereafter it may be debated, so as to ensure that, if the House so wishes, the televising of its proceedings may continue.

The Lord President of the Council (Viscount Whitelaw)

My Lords, I understand from the noble Lord the Chairman of Committees that he hopes that the Select Committee will report to the House before the Christmas Recess. The question of a debate is one for the usual channels.

Lord Shinwell

My Lords, has the noble Viscount—

Lord Rodney

My Lords, I should like to thank the Leader of the House for that reply. Does he not agree that it might be advantageous if the Select Committee could submit an interim report at an earlier date and so enable the question to be discussed in your Lordships' House while the matter is still fresh in people's minds?

Viscount Whitelaw

My Lords, I understand that there could certainly be an interim report from the Select Committee. I understand that the Select Committee is meeting this afternoon and its members will therefore have heard the views now being expressed in your Lordships' House. If an interim report was published, it would indeed be possible for your Lordships to debate it and to reach a decision, if that was the wish of the House, on a temporary continuation of the present arrangements.

Lord Shinwell

My Lords, as the noble Viscount, the Leader of the House, has answered the question I intended to put. I apologise for my confusion which I hope will be only temporary, if that is any relief to my colleagues in your Lordships' House. However, does the noble Viscount not agree that it is of the utmost importance that, before we embark on any debate either for or against television in your Lordships' House, we should have an opportunity to consider the substance of the Select Committee report so that we are able to prepare our speeches?

Viscount Whitelaw

My Lords, certainly that would be the purpose of an interim report, if that is what the Select Committee decided to produce so that the evidence of that report could be debated. Alternatively of course the Select Committee will produce a full report by the Christmas Recess and there will always be an opportunity to debate that. The purpose of an interim report would simply be if the House wished to come to a temporary decision earlier than by the Christmas Recess.

Lord Mowbray and Stourton

My Lords, does the noble Viscount agree with me that the brightness of the lights is somewhat unfortunate for those of us sitting on the Benches below? Is it therefore technically possible, if we were to go ahead with the experiment as I believe the noble Viscount would wish, to push the lights up to the top of the windows instead of half way?

Viscount Whitelaw

My Lords, I think it will be for the Select Commitee to report to us on what would be the technical possibilities if we were to go on in the future. I do not think that it would be for me this afternoon to comment on them. I have to say to my noble friend that I personally do not find the lights difficult. In fact, with the lights on I can actually read my notes without my glasses. I cannot do that when the lights are not on.

Lord Stallard

My Lords, does the noble Viscount accept that most of us thought that this experiment was to last for six months? It would appear that this interim report is a device to extend that six-month period for a further two or three months until the report that we were promised at the end of the six months is due. Does he accept that certainly I should prefer to wait for the proper report so that we can have a real debate, and that in the meantime the experiment should cease on the date on which it was supposed to cease?

Viscount Whitelaw

My Lords, first, in answer to the noble Lord's last point, the experiment was for approximately six months, and the experiment does end unless renewed by the wish of this House at the end of this period before the summer Recess. On that there is no doubt. Whether or not there is an interim report is a matter for the Select Committee to decide. They will hear the views expressed this afternoon. They will have heard the noble Lord's view. It is not for me to decide what particular view they will come to when they have heard this exchange.

Lord Mottistone

My Lords, is my noble friend the Leader of the House aware that I would strongly, support an interim report?

Viscount Whitelaw

My Lords, no doubt the Select Committee will note what my noble friend has said.

Lord Shaughnessy

My Lords, perhaps I may ask the noble Viscount the Leader of the House whether he is aware that at least one professional public opinion survey has been conducted on televising the proceedings of the House. Can he say whether the results will be available to the Select Committee, and when they might consider them?

Viscount Whitelaw

My Lords, I must say to the House that from time to time I have some scepticism about public opinion surveys. However, if there has been such a public opinion survey as the noble Lord suggests, no doubt that will be a matter which the Select Committee will look into.