§ 35. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Postmaster-General if, in view of their large profits, he will introduce legislation to prohibit the Independent Television companies from extending the periods for commercial advertising to recoup them selves for any salary or wage adjustments and to require that they shall fulfil their statutory duty as a public service by entering into direct negotiation with the trade unions of their employees when a dispute occurs.
§ Mr. BevinsThe Television Act, 1954, provides that the I.T.A., not the programme contractors, is responsible for controlling the amount of time permitted for advertising on independent television. Arising from the recent strike, I understand from the Authority that there is not, nor has there been, any question of the Authority extending the permitted time. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's Question, the terms and conditions of service of the employees of programme companies are matters for negotiation between them, and I see no need for amendment to Section 17 of the Television Act, 1954.