§ 2.52 p.m.
§ Lord AiredaleMy 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 can give an assurance that, when television programme contractors show programmes on direct broadcasting by satellite, the present permitted number of minutes of advertising in every hour will not be exceeded.
The Minister of State, Home Office (The Earl of Caithness)My Lords, it is the responsibility of the Independent Broadcasting Authority to direct programme contractors on the length and frequency of advertising breaks and similar matters in accordance with rules set down in Schedule 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1981. It will be for the IBA to decide how these rules should apply to the contractors for direct broadcasting by satellite.
§ Lord AiredaleMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that reply so far as it goes. However, the Question asked for an assurance that the present number of minutes of advertising in every hour should not be exceeded. I did not gather that I had answer from the noble Earl.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the answer was the last sentence of my reply. It will be for the IBA to decide how these rules should apply to the contractors for direct broadcasting by satellite.
§ Lord Orr-EwingMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that in Europe and in the United Kingdom cable television and direct broadcasting by satellite are clearly going to come about and that it would be most unwise at this juncture to inhibit the development in the United Kingdom by laying down firm rules and regulations concerning what can and cannot be done? The choice must lie with the viewers. If there is too much advertising, they will not look at it, and the people who are propagating that idea will obtain the answer quickly from that source.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I am glad to hear what my noble friend has to say, which confirms that the IBA has done a good job so far and doubtless will continue to do so.
§ Lord MishconMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that the matter cannot be left in such a glib fashion? Is it not a fact that other countries will be interested in satellite broadcasting and that it will be essential for the Government to take a view as to the arrangements that can be made with other countries, including France, so that they do not infringe upon advertising time? Will they give guidance to the IBA, if that be necessary, that a certain amount of advertising is tolerable and a certain amount of advertising can go all the way round? There is a limit to both aspects.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I apologise to the noble Lord if he thought my answers were glib. They were not intended to be so. If the IBA seeks our advice, we shall be very happy to give it.
§ Lord MishconMy Lords, perhaps the noble Earl will forgive me if I return to the point about the Government and the other countries involved having a need to obtain some sort of agreement on this matter.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, it was as a result of an Act of Parliament in 1981 that Parliament delegated this function to the IBA. If the IBA seeks our help, we shall be happy to give it.
§ Lord Taylor of GryfeMy Lords, is it not the case that the number of minutes per hour allowed for commercial advertising over commercial stations at the moment are set by statute or at least incorporated in the licence? Can we be assured that the same allocation of time observed in present commercial licensing will be observed when the new channels come on stream?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the amount of advertising time is a matter of detail for the IBA to consider within the guidelines of the rules set down in Schedule 2 of the 1981 Act.
Lord Paget of NorthamptonMy Lords, are we to understand that the noble Earl is giving an assurance that satellite broadcasting will not be used for national purposes such as, for instance, enforcing sanctions against South Africa?
§ Lord Williams of ElvelMy Lords, I declare an interest as a director of a company with an interest in the French satellite. Is the noble Earl aware that TVS will be the first direct broadcasting satellite to reach the United Kingdom? Will he therefore bear in mind the question asked by my noble friend Lord Mishcon about arrangements between governments for the allocation of advertising time and the restriction of advertising time so that a standard may be set at the outset?
§ Lord Mackie of BenshieMy Lords, did the noble Earl say in a previous answer that the Government have no obligation to give advice unless it is asked for?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I understood the question to be whether the Government would give advice and I answered, yes, if asked.
§ Lord AiredaleMy Lords, do Her Majesty's Government accept that it is not for the IBA but rather for the Government to take a sounding to discover how much advertising is acceptable to people and to see that rules are drawn up in accordance with what people find acceptable?
The Earl of CaithnessNo, my Lords, that is not the situation. In accordance with the Act passed through Parliament in 1981, it is a matter of detail for the IBA.
§ Lord Orr-EwingMy Lords, will my noble friend bear in mind the saying of an earlier Prime Minister in considering whether in this instance it is far better to wait and see?