§ 87. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in granting a charter to Rediffusion Limited in Malta, certain times were reserved for the Government; what times were so reserved and what use is being made of them in the present referendum campaign; and whether he will make a statement on the broadcasting times being allocated to each party during the referendum.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn accordance with normal practice, the licence obliges the licensee, Rediffusion Limited, to distribute any programme, announcement, or other matter which the Government may require, without charge and up to a limit of one half-hour per day. The Maltese Government is at present using this facility between 7 and 7.30 p.m. each day, for the reading of public announcements and the broadcasting of topical features prepared by the Maltese Central Office of Information.
The broadcasting times for political parties during the referendum campaign were allocated by the management of Rediffusion Limited, which informed the parties on the 29th January of its decision to proceed with arrangements for pre-referendum broadcasts without further delay and in a manner reflecting the largest measure of agreement reached in previous discussions between them. The schedule of pre-referendum broadcasts was fixed by the Rediffusion Management as follows:—
1st Series: 1st February, Progressive Constitutional Party, 7.30/7.40 p.m.; 2nd February, Nationalist Party, 7.30/7.50 p.m.; 3rd February, Malta Labour Party, 7.30/8.00 p.m.185W2nd Series: 4th February, Progressive Constitutional Party, 7.30/7.40 p.m.; 5th February, Nationalist Party, 7.30/7.50 p.m.; 6th February, Malta Labour Party, 7.30/8.00 p.m.3rd Series: 7th February, Progressive Constitutional Party, 7.30/7.40 p.m.; 8th February, Nationalist Party, 7.30/7.50 p.m.; 9th February, Malta Labour Party, 7.30/8.00 p.m.