Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what 613W consultations he has had with the BBC and IBA concerning television and radio coverage of the direct elections to the European Parliament with special reference to the Representation of the People Act; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesOfficials of my Department have had informal talks with representatives of the broadcasting organisations and of the European Broadcasting Union about arrangements for the coverage of the count and the declaration of results at next year's elections to the European Assembly. The arrangements for reporting the election campaign are for the broadcasting authorities themselves to determine, as is the case with domestic elections and all other events of current interest. The Government propose that the present restrictions under the Representation of the People Acts governing broadcasts involving parliamentary candidates should be applied, by regulation under the European Assembly Elections Act 1978, to European Assembly elections.