HL Deb 13 June 1980 vol 410 c816WA
Lord FERRIER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will seek to ensure that the ITA instructs the newly appointed planners of the fourth channel to include in their plans provision for reporting the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament on a similar basis to the obligation imposed on the BBC by Section 13(2) of its Licence and Agreement.

Lord BELSTEAD

The Independent Broadcasting Authority and the programme planners for the fourth television channel service should be left free to determine the content of that service, subject only to the requirements laid down in the Broadcasting Bill. It would be inappropriate to require reports of the proceedings of Parliament to be broadcast day by day on a particular television service.