HL Deb 28 July 1997 vol 582 cc1-2
The Earl of Kinnoull

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received any representations from the farming community in relation to the proposal made by the BBC to move "Farming Today" from its regular slot at 6.10 a.m. each weekday.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, we have received representations from the chairman of the BBC's Rural and Agricultural Affairs Advisory Committee and the president of the National Farmers Union. These bodies are among a wide number of interested parties which have been consulted by the BBC as part of the review of the Radio 4 network.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. Can he go a little further? There was a well-reported governors meeting last Thursday, when the future of a number of Radio 4 programmes was considered. Can the noble Lord give any hope to the 1½ million listeners to this invaluable programme?

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, as the noble Earl rightly says, BBC governors received the proposals from Mr. James Boyle, the Controller of Radio 4, at their meeting last Thursday. They are due to announce a decision on them on Wednesday of this week. The governors commended Mr. Boyle on his review and agreed that the consultation exercise that he had instigated was satisfactory for the purpose.

Baroness Rawlings

My Lords, will the Minister tell the House how much weight the Government consider should be given by the BBC to government views on such matters?

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, as the noble Baroness well knows, the BBC is responsible for its own programming on a day-to-day basis. It has to pay attention to planned programming. For example, under the terms of its Charter it is obliged to provide day-to-day coverage on an impartial basis on the proceedings of Parliament. But in general, under its Charter and Agreement, the BBC is responsible for its own programming.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes

My Lords, does the noble Lord believe that in making the announcement on Wednesday the BBC is adopting a typical government tactic? The announcement is so near to the parliamentary Recess that we shall not be able to enter into any discussion on the matter.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, even if the BBC had done such a dastardly thing—and I have no reason to suppose that it has—we should still have a very fruitful debate in this House on the details of programming, bearing in mind the reply that I just gave to the noble Baroness, Lady Rawlings—namely, Parliament is not responsible for day-to-day decisions about programming.

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