HL Deb 08 July 1988 vol 499 cc515-6

Viscount Buckmaster asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied with the ban on religious, advertising contained in Schedule 2(8) of the Broadcasting Act of 1981.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, this provision is of long standing, and successive authoritative committees which have reviewed broadcasting have continued to recommend its retention. We have no present plans to relax it.

Viscount Buckmaster

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for that Answer. Nevertheless, is he aware that Great Britain is now one of the very few countries in the world which does not allow religious advertising? Those countries which do allow it include most of the countries in British colonial Africa, plus Australia and New Zealand, most of the countries in the European Community—especially France, Italy and Spain—and many other countries in the world. Is the noble Earl further aware that there is widespread demand throughout this country for the lifting of such restrictions?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I am certain that what the noble Viscount, Lord Buckmaster, says about countries outside the United Kingdom is quite correct. But, as regards this country, it is difficult to make such comparisons as the ITV system is currently subject to public service broadcasting obligations, unlike many private sector channels in other countries.

I should just add that many other countries are most envious of the generally high quality and standard of ITV programmes in this country.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, can the Minister say how the Government propose to effect the ban when we have direct broadcasting from satellite?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, we are most ready to listen to any suggestions. However, I am doubtful whether it would be easy to arrive at clear enforceable distinctions which would command general support. Again, I should add that the Pilkington Committee in 1962 and the Annan Committee in 1977 both recommended that the present restrictions should be left unchanged.

Lord Kilbracken

My Lords, the noble Viscount referred to British colonial Africa. Does the noble Earl know where that is?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I do not think that I quite got the point of the noble Lord's question.

Lord Kilbracken

My Lords, there was a reference by the noble Viscount, Lord Buckmaster, to British colonial Africa. I was just asking where that is.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I am sure the noble Viscount knows exactly where it is.

Lord Marsh

My Lords, does the Minister agree that anyone who has watched the nauseating examples of religious broadcasting in North America would hope very much that the Government will stand firm against it?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord for his comments.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, can the Minister say whether the ban on what is called "religious advertising" will be imposed on any advertisement that, for example, the Mormons want to place on television?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I must apologise because I did not quite catch the noble Lord's question.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, yes, it was rather awkward. I was asking whether the ban would be imposed on the Mormons, spelt—M-O-R-M-O-N-S.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I think even I can spell that word. At the moment the ban is imposed upon all religious sects.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, but that is a religious body is it not?

Noble Lords

Order!

The Lord Bishop of St. Albans

My Lords, can the noble Earl tell the House whether he has received any representations from any of the major denominations in this country requesting that the ban on religious advertising be lifted?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, not to the best of my beliefs.

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