Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Prime Minister the number of Government servants who have appeared in British Broadcasting Corporation or Independent Television Authority television programmes on economic affairs and other subjects, respectively, since 1st January, 1958, and the dates of these appearances; and on how many occasions facilities have been given to Members of the Opposition to give the non-Government point of view on issues the interpretation of which is a matter for controversy.
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Mr. AmoryI have been asked to reply.
I regret that this information is not readily available for the whole of the period to which the right hon. Gentleman refers. A survey was, however, made of applications received during a recent period of three months for permission for Civil Servants to appear in television programmes. Apart from the regular weather forecasts given by Civil Servants on B.B.C. television, these applications led to 13 appearances by Civil Servants on B.B.C. television and 15 on I.T.V. Of the I.T.V. appearances seven were by officers of the Treasury on economic matters.
Facilities for members of the Opposition to give the non-Government point of view on issues whose interpretation is a matter for controversy are provided in the arrangements for party political broadcasts.