BBC: Future (Hansard, 18 June 1992)

Viscount Astor
My Lords, the Government intend to publish a discussion document later this year to set the context for a public debate about the future of the BBC. Therefore, we do not think it necessary to have a committee of inquiry.

§ Lord Thomson of Monifieth
My Lords, is the Minister aware that with the destabilisation of commercial television in this country it is now even more important to ensure the future of the BBC as a publicly-funded, public service broadcasting system? Will he reconsider the advantages of having a committee of inquiry as a structured way of ensuring that the general public can submit evidence and can be cross-examined and so forth? Is not broadcasting a little too important to be left merely to government and the broadcasters?

Viscount Astor
My Lords, we wish there to be a genuine public debate of high quality. We shall want to hear the opinions of viewers and listeners in addition to interested parties. There are many ways of encouraging wide public discussion; we are considering all the possibilities. We believe that another committee of inquiry would not be the best way forward and that it would be likely to delay the timescale of decisions. However, we have an open mind about the way in which we wish to involve all those with an interest in the future of the BBC.

§ Viscount Whitelaw
My Lords, do the Government accept that in this country and throughout the world there is a widespread belief that while the BBC may require many changes it should remain based on the public service principle with the licence fee as its basic means of finance?

Viscount Astor
My Lords, my noble friend makes a most important point. All such issues will be discussed and considered as part of the review of the BBC's charter, which is not due to expire until 1996.

§ Baroness Birk
My Lords, will the Minister accept that this is an important time for the BBC? The renewal of its charter has not previously arisen and there have been tremendous changes in the whole field of broadcasting as a result of the 1989 Act? Will he accept that there is a big difference between commenting on documents which have been issued by 282 other people and having a structure through which ideas can be initiated and individuals and organisations can push forward their views? The Minister said that he had an open mind about the matter. Will he explain that answer a little further?

Viscount Astor
My Lords, we intend to publish a discussion paper in the autumn. It will set the context for public discussion. We wish to encourage the debate about the future of the BBC and do not wish to prevent it. That point is important.

§ Lord Elton
My Lords, will the Minister give an undertaking that the Government, in considering the debate, will have in mind the context within which the great public corporation is conducting itself and may he asked to continue to do so? Will the Government bear in mind in particular the distribution of ownership within the private sector and the concentration of many newspaper and television outlets in the hands of individuals or corporations who may not have the best interests of our society at heart?

Viscount Astor
My Lords, my noble friend makes an important point. The Broadcasting Act established the framework for an unprecedented expansion of commercial television and radio services. We need to see how the new arrangements settle in and it is too soon to consider changing them. The issue now before us is the future of the BBC.

§ Lord Jenkins of Hillhead
My Lords, will the Minister bear in mind that in view of the unfortunate consequences of many aspects of the 1989 Act a certain humility of approach on the part of the Government may be appropriate?

Viscount Astor
My Lords, we intend to encourage the widest possible discussion among listeners, viewers, the BBC and all interested parties. We look forward to that.

§ Lord Annan
My Lords, will the Minister accept that having had two inquiries inflicted upon it during the past 15 years the BBC is entitled to have a vacation from such Chinese tortures? Does he agree that it is important that there should be a public debate such as he envisages before decisions are taken? Does he also agree that it is important, in particular, to obtain from the governors of the BBC their ideas about the future of the corporation?

Viscount Astor
My Lords, the noble Lord makes an important point, which I take to heart. He will know more about the matter than most of your Lordships because he chaired the previous committee on broadcasting, which took three years, from 1974 to 1977. We believe that an inquiry held now would tie our hands and that discussion would he restricted while it took place.

§ Lord Jenkins of Putney
My Lords, I understand that the Government intend to issue, a Green Paper on the subject. Will the Minister assure the House that it will be truly green and that it will have no white characteristics? In other words, will he give an assurance that the Government will not be committing 283 themselves, as is appropriate in a Green Paper, and will not take up an initial position from which they may have difficulty withdrawing?

Viscount Astor
My Lords, we have no hidden agenda as regards the BBC. The document will be for discussion and will ascertain the views of everyone.

§ Lord Thomson of Monifieth
My Lords, is the Minister aware that we welcome his assurances that the Government wish to encourage the widest public debate on these matters and that when the Green Paper is published they will retain an open mind about the best way to handle the debate? Is the Minister further aware that we shall wish to return to the matter once the Green Paper is published?

Viscount Astor
My Lords, of course. Perhaps I may quote from today's Evening Standard. It states: The BBC has delivered a knock-out blow to ITV by clinching a £50 million contract for world athletics coverage which leaves the commercial channel's once proud sporting line-up in tatters". The BBC is doing very well.