§ Mr. Hollingworthasked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received during the last two years suggesting that he take action under Clause 15 (4) of the British Broadcasting Corporation Licence and Section 9 (2) of the Television Act.
§ Mr. BevinsI have received a very wide range of representations calling for stricter control over children's programmes and quiz programmes and the banning of a variety of programmes including some on current affairs, and others involving crime techniques, drinking, violence, swearing and cruelty. I have also received representations critical of programmes on the finances of programme contractors, of items containing alleged anti-Russian propaganda and others with alleged anti-American propaganda, disc boosting programmes, simulated news announcements and family planning.
84Wto men retired from these grades are shown below. London salary scales are assumed throughout.
It has also been represented to me that the televising of films should be subject to similar control to that exercised in the cinema, that foreign broadcasting material ought to be reduced, and that politicians ought not to appear regularly before General Elections.
If I had accepted these and other suggestions I should have become a general censor, interfering in, or banning, a large proportion of programmes. I am sure that Clause 15 (4) of the B.B.C. Licence and Section 9 (2) of the Television Act are inappropriate for wholesale use of this kind.