HL Deb 17 February 1998 vol 586 cc142-4

2.54 p.m.

Lord Thomson of Monifieth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What response they are making to the proposals of the broadcasting authorities to alter the arrangements for party political broadcasts.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, the arrangements for party political broadcasts are for broadcasters to decide. The Government welcome their decision to consult political parties, voters, viewers and listeners before proceeding with their proposals. The Government do not intend themselves to respond to the consultation. However, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will keep himself informed of progress on this, as on other broadcasting matters.

Lord Thomson of Monifieth

My Lords, with respect, is that not a slightly naïve Answer? Is the Minister aware that the arrangements for party political broadcasts are normally a parliamentary matter in a committee that sits in Parliament under the chairmanship of the Government Chief Whip, unless arrangements have changed since my day? Given the domination of broadcasting in terms of political influence, is it not one of the great bulwarks of our democracy that political parties cannot buy broadcasting time—whereas in the United States, for instance, the vast sums that are needed for such broadcasts are one of the sources of corruption in the American political system? Is not the proposal to abolish party political broadcasts entirely between elections the thin end of a very dangerous wedge?

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, I am sure the whole House will agree that we would not wish to introduce in this country the practice that obtains in America and other countries of having paid broadcasts on television and radio involving vast sums of money. As to the issue of responses to the broadcasters' proposals, it is in the first instance the responsibility of political parties and those concerned outside with the democratic process rather than with the Government formally as such.

Baroness Flather

My Lords, is the Minister aware that, during the last election, there was a party political broadcast by the BNP in which animal noises were superimposed on a street scene in Brixton? Some of the broadcasters chose not to make any changes. The BBC showed the broadcast in its entirety; LWT removed the animal noises. The broadcast gave great offence to a large number of people who also have rights to be protected from that type of party political broadcast. Further, is the Minister aware that the broadcast ended with an inference that the last great war was fought for the sake of keeping this country for the indigenous white British? As the Minister knows perfectly well, the British were not alone in fighting against the fascists; many of us fought with the British against them. It does not do much good for the relationships between communities to find that we have fascists telling us what to do in party political broadcasts.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, I am very well aware of the issues raised by the noble Baroness. I am sure that many in this House will share her views about that particular broadcast. Broadcasters have to comply with the law of the land—for example, in relation to racial hatred—and they have to ensure that programme material does not offend against taste and decency. I understand that the complaints were investigated by the broadcasting authority but were not ultimately upheld. However, the broadcasters have been asked to consider the issues raised. I have no doubt that they will take very great notice of the point that the noble Baroness raises.

Lord McNally

My Lords, would not the request to the broadcasters to drop party political broadcasts have more credibility if they showed more interest in reporting politics and Parliament seriously during prime time and showing serious political programmes and news in prime time, rather than wanting to clear their schedules of anything that seems likely to fulfil their mandate to inform?

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, I am sure many noble Lords will agree with the noble Lord that politics is far too important a subject to be left solely to election periods. The broadcasters propose the replacement of party political broadcasts with a different framework for party election broadcasts. But the noble Lord's point is well taken; I have no doubt it will be taken by the broadcasting authorities.

Lord Strathclyde

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that many people will find with some surprise that the Government do not have an opinion on these proposals and do not aim to give a response? We on these Benches are in general supportive of the proposals, with one exception: the question of Budget broadcasts. Will the Minister confirm that, if the Chancellor of the Exchequer raids people's savings and pensions, as he did in the previous Budget, he will give a television broadcast explaining why he is doing so and what the effects will be on the people of this country?

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, I am interested to hear what the noble Lord says about the view of the Opposition Benches on the broadcasters' proposals and that in general they support them. The response from this side will be made by the Labour Party rather than by the Government. We shall certainly make our views known by the deadline of 31st March, including a view on whether Budget broadcasts should be continued.