Advertisements

HC Deb 03 December 1958 vol 596 cc142-3W

96. Mr. Chapman

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, during a programme called "Snakes and Ladders," screened by Southern Television on 24th November, the programme was interrupted for advertisements between the introduction of a competitor and the beginning of his section of the programme; and, as this is a breach of the Television Act, what action he proposes to take against the Independent Television Authority.

Mr. K. Thompson

It is the duty of the Authority to secure that the provisions of the Second Schedule to the Television Act are complied with. The Authority informs me that in programmes of the kind mentioned by the hon. Member, it is customary to use only one break for advertising. The natural break most often chosen is before the introduction of a new competitor, but there are others, and the Authority considers the break chosen on this occasion to be a natural one.

97. Mr. Chapman

asked the Postmaster-General what guidance he has given to the Independent Television Authority about obedience to the rules concerning intervals between advertisements in cases where the programme does not possess obvious natural breaks at the required intervals of time; and to what extent he has agreed that breaks may be artificially created in these cases.

Mr. K. Thompson

There is no rule that advertisements must be inserted at required intervals of time. The second part of the Question does not arise because under paragraph 3 of the Second Schedule to the Television Act advertisements may not be inserted otherwise than at the beginning or end of a programme or in the natural breaks therein.

101. Mr. Chapman

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, during the screening of a film at 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 25th November on Southern Television, a character's speech was interrupted for insertion of advertisements; and, as this constitutes a breach of the Television Act, what action he is taking against the Independent Television Authority.

Mr. K. Thompson

The responsibility for ensuring that the programme contractors comply with the Television Act, 1954, rests with the Independent Television Authority. They have not been able to identify a specific interruption as described by the hon. Member and are looking further into this. As soon as I hear, I will write to the hon. Member.