§ 71. Mr. Goughasked the Postmaster- General if he is aware that on the evening of the recent Scimitar deck-landing accident in H.M.S. "Victorious", the British Broadcasting Corporation news televised a film showing a man, known to many Service personnel, meeting his death in a similar type of accident, and in a slow and unpleasant manner, and repeated the showing of this film on the occasion of the salvaging of the aircraft from the sea bed; and if he will use his powers under Section 15 (4) of the Licence and Agreement to prevent the further showing of this film on the British Broadcasting Corporation's television.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonI assume the hon. Member is referring to the actual news film of the tragic deck-landing disaster to the Scimitar on 25th September. I am sorry if this film has given pain to anyone but I feel that it is a good principle to leave programme content to the British Broadcasting Corporation and I do not10W think it appropriate to use the powers of direction under Clause 15 (4) of the B.B.C.'s Licence and Agreement, as suggested by the hon. Member.