§ 54. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to apply the same prohibition with regard to directorships of television companies to members of the other place, as is now being applied by the Independent Television Authority to members of the House of Commons.
§ Mr. Edward ShortAs my right hon. Friend will recognise, Parliament has left this to the discretion of the Authority. I do not think any change is called for now.
§ 58. Mr. Websterasked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to require the Independent Television Authority to consult him before withdrawing franchises from television companies.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) on 21st June.—[Vol. 748, c.302–3.]
§ 59. Mr. Ellisasked the Postmaster-General if he will require the Independent Television Authority, under Section 15(5) of the Television Act, 1954, to furnish him with all forecasts, estimates, information and documents with respect to their financial transactions in regard to the changes recently made in awarding contracts.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNo. The essential purpose of the subsection is to enable me to satisfy myself about the financial position of the Authority themselves, and they already provide me with all the information I need for this purpose.